The execution of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev on March 23, 1931, by the British colonial government remains one of the darkest episodes in India’s freedom struggle. While their revolutionary acts had made them immortal in the hearts of Indians, the circumstances surrounding their cremation remain a chilling reminder of the oppressive nature of British rule and the resilience of the Indian people.
A Secret Killing and a Falseful Burial
To prevent a public revolt, the British authorities had the execution one day earlier than planned and refused to give over the corpses to their kin. Instead, in the dead of night, the corpses were clandestinely brought out of Lahore Central Jail and were taken to the banks of the Sutlej River near Hussainiwala, just outside Ferozepur in modern-day Punjab, India.
The British, to destroy all proofs and prevent mass mourning, sought to hastily cremate the corpses with kerosene. But the fires didn't finish off the bodies. The British government officials realized their act might get discovered, so they dumped half-burned corpses in the Sutlej River.
The Discovery and the Proper Cremation
In spite of the secrecy, local villagers grew curious when they noticed suspicious activity along the riverbank. The following morning, they discovered the partly burned bodies of the martyrs. Grieved and enraged, the villagers, together with nationalist leaders, picked up the bodies and accorded them a proper cremation with full ceremonial honors. This act ignited common indignation and served to further intensify India's struggle for independence.
Hussainiwala: The National Martyrs Memorial
Presently, Hussainiwala is a synonym for the Indian struggle for independence. The place where Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev had to be buried finally has been converted into the National Martyrs Memorial. Thousands of people throng this sacred site every year on March 23 to pay tribute to these courageous revolutionaries on Shaheed Diwas.
Gandhiji’s Role in the Case: Could the Execution Have Been Delayed?
One of the old controversies among historians is whether or not Mahatma Gandhi was able to hold up or prevent the hanging of Bhagat Singh and his fellow revolutionaries. Some argue that as a part of negotiations with the British government in the Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931), Gandhi could have pushed more firmly for mercy. His critics maintain that his own commitment to non-violence stood in the way of his firm stand on the issue of Bhagat Singh, whose approach differed from that of Gandhi.
On the other hand, some historians believe that the British had already made up their minds about the execution and that Gandhi’s influence was limited in legal matters. The British government, fearing the rising popularity of Bhagat Singh, saw his execution as a necessary step to quell revolutionary sentiments. Gandhi, they argue, did appeal for mercy but was ultimately powerless against the rigid colonial administration.
Prof. Kapil Kumar's Revelations: A Chilling Account of British Deception
Prof. Kapil Kumar, Senior Fellow, Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, has thrown more light on the nefarious activities of the British authorities post-execution. In his words:
- The British quietly shifted the bodies of Bhagat Singh and his companions out of the jail by making a hole through the jail walls.
- The bodies were put in jute bags and were being dragged away when some of the local villagers detected suspicious movement.
- The British sepoys, discovering they had been detected, ran away, leaving the mutilated bodies behind.
When the remains were finally brought to Bhagat Singh's parents, they were heartbroken. His parents had to arrange the pieces of the body together before doing the last rites.
A Legacy That Lives On
In spite of the efforts of the British to wipe out their legacy, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev are still an inspiration to generations.
Their sacrifice is the witness of India's relentless fight for freedom and justice. The National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala is a reminder, still alive, of their never-fading spirit, reminding the world of the highest price they paid for India's freedom.
Even decades after their martyrdom, controversy regarding their execution and cremation remains a matter of keen academic and popular debate. Their tale is a poignant reminder that the battle for freedom is never really won—it goes on in the hearts of those who pursue justice and truth.