Martyr’s Day: What did Bhagat Singh-Batukeshwar tell the meaning of Inquilab-Zindabad?

Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt

According to Sardar Bhagat Singh and his Batukeshwar Dutt, “Inquilab Zindabad” does not mean that armed struggle should continue forever and no system can be permanent even for a short time. Inquilab (revolution) means the spirit of change and aspiration for progress. In Modern Review, the slogan ‘Inquilab Zindabad’ was said to be inappropriate.

Revolutionary Yatindranath Das was martyred after 63 days of hunger strike. There was a nationwide response to his sacrifice. Freedom lovers full of pride and respect for them had their displeasure towards the British. At the same time, in Modern Review, Ramanand Chattopadhyay, editor, wrote a comment calling the public respect shown for the martyrdom of Yatindranath Das and the slogan “Inquilab Zindabad” inappropriate.

Jailed Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt protested against this by writing a letter on 22 December 1929. Bhagat Singh and Dutt wrote, “It would be presumptuous to find fault with and counter the creation of a mature thinker and experienced editor like you, but consider it our duty to answer the question, what do we mean by this slogan?”

Responsibility of revolutionaries: The slogan of revolution reached everyone

Sardar Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt told why they are writing this letter- “Because at this time in this country, the responsibility of taking this slogan to all the people has fallen on us revolutionary comrades. We have not created this slogan. This slogan was used in the revolutionary movement of Russia. Famous socialist writer Upton Sinclair has used this slogan from the mouth of some anarchist revolutionaries in his novels ‘Boston’ and ‘Isle’. But it does not mean that armed struggle should continue forever and anarchy should spread in the country and society.

The spirit of the slogan is more important than the words

Both the revolutionaries made it clear that it is possible that due to the use of this slogan for a long time, such a feeling has been absorbed, which may not be proved rationally by the words of the language and the dictionary, but the thoughts that are associated with it cannot be separated from this slogan. Has happened. Such slogans are indicative of an accepted meaning, which to some extent has arisen and is inherent in them.

For example, by raising the slogan ‘Yatindranath Zindabad’, we mean that we uphold the great ideals of his life and the tireless spirit that gave the great martyr the inspiration and strength to endure unspeakable suffering and make immense sacrifices.

Bombs and pistols are not synonymous with revolution

Describing the slogan “Inquilab Zindabad” as sacred to the revolutionaries, Bhagat Singh and Dutt quoted their statement given in the Lahore Conspiracy Case, “Revolution (Inquilab) does not necessarily mean an armed movement. Bombs and pistols can sometimes be just the means to make the revolution successful. Of course, in some movements bombs and pistols prove to be an important means. But for this reason alone, bomb and pistol do not become synonymous with revolution. Rebellion cannot be called revolution but it is possible that the end result of rebellion is revolution.

People tremble at the thought of change!

Describing the need for a change in the thinking of the society, he wrote, “People tremble at the mere thought of change. There is a need to awaken revolutionary spirit in place of this indolent spirit. Conservative forces stop the progress of human society. It is necessary that the new system replaces the old one, so that the world can be prevented from deteriorating. The word revolution for us means the spirit of change and aspiration for progress. Keeping this meaning and sentiment in heart, the revolutionaries announce “Long Live Inquilab”.