He was only 23-years-old when he sacrificed his life for the freedom of his country. And even around nine decades after his execution, Bhagat Singh still remains a great source of inspiration. And it isn’t just his devotion for his country, it’s also his perspective towards life, religion and society that make him an inspiration for the whole country.
Bhagat Singh was a revolutionary in every sense. At a time when Indian society was driven by regressive traditions and rituals, he dared to reject the existence of God. He stood up for what he believed in and his beliefs stemmed from an objective analysis of every issue.
Not many know but in a letter to his fellow revolutionary, Sukhdev, who was also hanged on the same day as Bhagat Singh, he poured his heart out about his views on love. And his thoughts are just as remarkable as him.
In this emotional letter dated April 5, 1929, Bhagat Singh begins with clearing a misunderstanding that Sukhdev seemed to have with him. He also requests Sukhdev to clear his heart of any differences against him as he would soon begin his journey into an unknown land.
Dear Brother,
In the last letter to his fellow comrade, Bhagat Singh says he is full of life and ambitions, but he could sacrifice everything in the time of need. And this, he believed, was the real sacrifice.
He also goes on to express his views about love giving an example of Giuseppe Mazzini, an Italian politician and journalist, who found strength from a letter written to him by his lover during times of crisis.
By the way, I am say that I cannot help arguing once again my case in the matter under discussion. Again do I emphasise that I am full of ambition and hope and of full charm of life. But I can renounce all at the time of need, and that is the real sacrifice. These things can never be hinderance in the way of man, provided he be a man.
Differentiating love from the animalistic passion that one may feel for another, Bhagat Singh wrote that real love always contributed towards enhancing a person’s character.
As regards the moral status of love I may say that it in itself is nothing BUT PASSION, not an animal passion but a human one, and very sweet too. Love in itself can never be an animal passion. Love always elevates the character of man. It never lowers him, provided love be love.
The revolutionary leader also talks about how a man would reach an idealistic stage if he overcomes all the emotions and carries out all his activities based solely on reason.
You can’t call these girls — mad people, as we generally see in films — lovers. They always play in the hands of animals passions.
Towards the end of the letter, which was written exactly 1 month and 18 days before the trio – Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar – was hanged for killing a deputy superintendent of police, Singh asks Sukhdev to move away from over-idealism and treat others with sympathy.
We may talk glibly about all the radical things that can possibly be conceived, but in practical life we begin to tremble at the very outset. This I will request you do away with. And may I, Without fear at all the misapprehension in my mind, request you do kindly lower the standard of your over-idealism a bit, not to be harsh to those who will live behind and will be the victims of a disease as myself ?
Wish you all success and happy life.
You can read the full letter here.