Hindustan Socialist Republican Association

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The Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), known as the Hindustan Republican Association until 1928, was an Indian independence association led by revolutionaries Bhagat Singh, Yogendra Shukla and Chandrasekar Azad. It was one of first socialist organizations in India and was inspired by the Bolsheviks involvement in the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Contents

[edit] Initial actions

The association was established at a meeting in the village of Bholachang, Brahamabaria subdivision, East Bengal. Present at the founding meeting were Pratul Ganguly, Narendra Mohan Sen and Sachindra Nath Sanyal. It emerged as an offshoot of the Anushilan Samiti.[1] The aim of the party was to organize armed revolution to end the colonial rule and establish in a Federal Republic of the United States of India.[2]. The name was suggestive of a similar revolutionary body in Ireland.

Gandhi's cancellation of the Non-cooperation movement after the Chauri Chaura incident caused a lot of resentment to some youngsters, who had staked their careers for the movement. The initial members of HRA were such youngsters.

The Kakori train robbery was a notable act by this group. On 9 August 1925 the members of the group looted government money that was being transferred in a train. The Kakori case led to the hanging of Ashfaqullah Khan, Ramprasad Bismil, Roshan Singh, Rajendra Lahiri. The following arrests of its leaders was a major setback.

[edit] Later activities

The HRA's focus until 1928 had been to create the Federal Republic of the United States of India. However, later it was changed to create an India based on the Socialist ideals of Lenin and Marx. This was stated by Bhagat Singh on September 9, 1928 at the Ferozshah Kotla Ruins in Delhi. Therefore, the association was renamed from the Hindustan Republican Association to the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association.

[edit] Saunders' killing

The HSRA decided to stand along Lala Lajpat Rai in a non-violent protest procession against the Simon Commission at Lahore. During the protest, the officials launched a lathi-charge and the wounds inflicted on Lalaji proved to be fatal for him. Bhagat Singh, who had eye-witnessed this beating vowed to take revenge.

HSRA decided to shoot J A Scott, the officer who had ordered lathi-charge. The plan was to be executed by four revolutionaries Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Chander Shekhar Azad and Jai Gopal. It was planned that Jai Gopal was to give a signal to Bhagat Singh and Raj Guru as soon as Scott would come out of his office.

On 17 December 1928 in Lahore, at the appointed time, a British official stepped out of his office and rode on a motor cycle. At Jai Gopal's signal, Raj Guru fired on the British official with a pistol which pierced through his neck and almost killed him. At this Bhagat Singh virtually pounced upon him and fired four or five shots. The British official died on the spot. However, the killed officer was not Scott but J. P. Saunders, the A.S.P., a Youngman of 21 and yet a probationer. It was a miscalculation on the part of Jai Gopal who failed to distinguish between Scott and Saunders. Chanan Singh, a head constable who tried to chase Bhagat Singh and Raj Guru was shot dead by Azad.

The next day the HSRA came out and said in their proclamation: "Inquilab Zindabad (Long Live Revolution). We don't enjoy killing an individual, but this individual was ruthless, mean and part and parcel of an unjust system. It is necessary to destroy such a system. This man has been killed, because he was a cog in the wheel British rule. This government is the worst of all governments."

[edit] Assembly bombing

The next big major action that the HSRA carried out was the Assembly Bomb Case. The HSRA decided to explode a blank bomb in the Central Assembly in Delhi to protest against the tyrannical legislation, and arouse public opinion. Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt volunteered to carry out the bombing and get arrested.

The ideology behind the bombing and getting arrested was to make the deaf government hear the voices of its oppressed peoples, however, it was also because Bhagat Singh primarily in the HSRA believed that the only way to successfully convey his message to the public of India was to propaganda from Court. He believed that since all statements were recorded in Court and then published they could gain support for their cause.

On April 8, 1929 when Vitthal Bhai Patel, President of the Central Assembly on failing to get an assurance from the government that the bill would not be enforced retrospectively, rose to give his ruling, a bomb exploded near the empty treasure benches. The hall got filled with smoke. Another explosion followed and terror prevailed everywhere. None got killed, because it was not so intended. As the smoke cleared Bhagat Singh and BK Dutt were seen shouting "Long Live Revolution, Down with Imperialism". They also threw red leaflets on the floor which began with the slogan of a French revolutionary "It needs a loud voice for a deaf to hear".

Eventually on April 15, 1929 police raided the HSRA's bomb factory in Lahore and arrested Kishori Lal, Sukhdev and Jai Gopal. The Assembly Bomb Case trial followed. Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged on 23rd March 1931.

[edit] Later actions

Baikuntha Shukla, the great nationalist was hanged for murdering Phanindrananth Ghosh who had become a government approver which led to hanging of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru. He was a nephew of Yogendra Shukla. Baikunth Shukla was also initiated into the freedom struggle at a young age taking active part in the 'Salt Satyagraha' of 1930. He was associated with revolutionary organisations like the Hindustan Seva Dal and Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. The execution of the great Indian revolutionaries Bhagat Singh,Rajguru and Sukhdev in 1931 as a result of their trial in the 'Lahore conspiracy case' was an event that shook the entire country. Phanindra Nath Ghosh, hitherto a key member of the Revolutionary Party had treacherously betrayed the cause by turning an approver, giving evidence, which led to the execution. Baikunth was commissioned to plan the execution of Ghosh as an act of ideological vendetta which he carried out successfully on 9th November 1932. He was arrested and tried for the killing. Baikunth was convicted and hanged in Gaya Central Jail on May 14th, 1934. He was only 28 years old.

On 27th February, 1931, Chandrasekar Azad was killed in a gunfight with the police.

It is unclear of the eventual fate of the Association, but the common understanding is that it disbanded with the death of Chandrashekar Azad and the hanging of its popular activists: Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru.

[edit] Significance

The association was in the forefront of revolutionary movement in northern parts of India. Younger generation from U.P, Bihar, Punjab, Bengal, Maharashtra were its members.

The association was in direct opposition to Mahatma Gandhi's Congress, and the ideals of the two parties differed greatly, however, it can be said that the revolutionary ideals of the HSRA appealed more to a younger audience. The contribution of HSRA to Indian society still lives on today, and served as inspiration for current Indian leftwing groups.[3].

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Saha, Murari Mohan (ed.), Documents of the Revolutionary Socialist Party: Volume One 1938-1947. Agartala: Lokayata Chetana Bikash Society, 2001. p. 16-17
  2. ^ Gateway of India article
  3. ^ Communist Party of India (Marxist)
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