Guwahati: Popularly known as Azad or Pandit ji, Chandra Shekhar Azad inspired youths in a fight for India’s independence.
His popular saying “If yet your blood does not rage, then it is water that flows in your veins. For what is the flush of youth, if it is not if service to the motherland,” still rings a bell in every youth and inspire them to work for the betterment of the nation.
One of the heroes of the Indian freedom struggle, Chandra Shekhar Azad was born on July 23, 1906 in Madhya Pradesh.
Born as Chandrashekhar Tiwari, he later took the name of Chandra Shekhar Azad. He often signed as Balraj while issuing statements as the commander in chief of the HSRA (Hindustan Socialist Republic Army).
Chandrashekhar’s mother had wanted him to become a Sanskrit scholar and therefore he was sent to Kashi Vidyapeeth, Banaras.
The Jallianwala Bagh tragedy in which hundreds were massacred proved to be a turning point in Azad’s life. He then took part in the Non-Cooperation Movement under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi in 1920 at the age of 15
An independent India was Azad’s most cherished dream. He had also trained Bhagat Singh and his comrades and was known for incidents such as Kakori train robbery, Central Legislative Assembly bombing and the shooting of British Police officer John Saunders in Lahore that jolted the British imperialist government.
At the age of 15, he joined the Non-Cooperation Movement started by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920.
After the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922, disappointed Azad joined Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) formed by Ram Prasad Bismil.
Azad then took charge of the organisation after the other freedom fighters, Ram Prasad Bismil Ashfaqulla Khan, Thakur Roshan Singh and Rajendra Nath Lahiri were sentenced to death in the Kakori train robbery case.
Azad became more popular after taking part in the 1925 Kakori Train robbery and assassination of John Saunders in 1928, who was the assistant superintendent of police.
He was arrested and presented before district magistrate justice Reverand Tomson Kregate where he gave his name as Azad (the free), his father’s name as Swatantrata (Independence) and his residence as Jail. He was whipped 15 times as punishment.
At the age of 24, he chose to make the supreme sacrifice rather than being caught by the British police in Allahabad on 27 February 1931. The police surrounded him in a park after an informant told them about his whereabouts.
Azad with companion Sukhdev Raj was having a chat at Alfred Park, Allahabad (now Prayagraj) where someone tipped off sir J. R. H. Nott-Brower, CID head of the police about his presence in the park. Police surrounded the area amidst which Azad had to hide behind a tree.
After a shootout, Azad chose to shoot himself dead with his last bullet, staying true to his pledge to never be captured alive by the British. The Colt pistol of Chandra Shekhar Azad has been displayed at the Allahabad Museum.
