Birth Anniversary of Bhagat Singh

• 29 Sep 2025

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to revolutionary Bhagat Singh on his birth anniversary, praising his courage as a great source of inspiration.

Key Points

• Birth: Bhagat Singh was born on  28th September, 1907, in Banga, Punjab, British India (now in Pakistan). He came from a Sikh family actively involved in anti-colonial activities; his father, Kishan Singh, and uncle, Ajit Singh, were prominent freedom fighters. 
• Early Life: Witnessed the Jallianwala Bagh massacre at the age of 12, which instilled a deep sense of patriotism and a vow to fight for India’s freedom. 
• Education: Joined the National College, Lahore, founded by Lala Lajpat Rai, which emphasised the Swadeshi Movement and provided a platform for revolutionary ideas. 
• Revolutionary Organisations: Bhagat Singh became a member of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) in 1924, later renaming it the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) in 1928. 
  • Naujawan Bharat Sabha was founded by Bhagat Singh in 1926, aimed at mobilising youth for the freedom struggle. 
• Major Actions: Involved in the assassination of police officer J.P. Saunders in 1928 (Lahore Conspiracy Case) as retaliation for Lala Lajpat Rai’s death due to police brutality. 
  • Threw a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly on 18th April 1929, with B.K. Dutt to protest against repressive British laws. 
• Arrest and Trial: Arrested in 1929 for the bomb incident and later charged with murder in the Lahore Conspiracy Case. He was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. 
  • Executed on 23rd March 1931, along with fellow revolutionaries Sukhdev and Rajguru, in Lahore. Bhagat Singh is affectionately known as Shahid-e-Azam, the greatest of martyrs. 
• Literary Contributions: Authored significant works, including Why I Am an Atheist, The Jail Notebook and Other Writings, and several political manifestos advocating for socialism and revolution. 
  • In his early work, Vishwa Prem (Universal Love), Singh proclaimed the importance of equality. He envisioned a world free of hunger and war, where humanity transcends boundaries of race and nationality. 
• Ideologies: Advocated Marxist and socialist ideologies, emphasising rationalism, equality, and justice. Critiqued organised religion, viewing it as a form of mental and physical slavery. 
• Legacy: Celebrated as a national hero and martyr; his birth anniversary and the date of his execution are observed annually to honour his contributions to India's freedom struggle. 
  • Every year, 23rd March is observed as Martyrs’ Day as a tribute to freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru.