Shivaram Rajguru

Freedom has always been the goal of humans. One way or another, humans always seek freedom. It's just that the meaning of freedom is different for different people. Some find it in money, some find it in relationships, and some find it in others. Nobody ever likes being ruled, some tolerate it, and some seek to destroy the oppressors. Some choose a softer path like Mahatma Gandhi; some choose a rather violent one.

India's freedom struggle against the British was a glorious phenomenon where people throughout the country participated. Thousands of People from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Assam to Gujarat fought together to end the atrocities by the infamous British raj. Few of them laid down their lives in the process, few of them suffered tortures, few were punished with imprisonment, and few were ordered to be hanged till death. Let us explore the life of freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives to achieve freedom of our beloved motherland, 'Sri Shivaram Rajguru.'

Saheed Rajguru Birth Anniversary: Rajguru was born on 24th August 1908 in Khed, Pune, Maharashtra, located at the bank of the river Bheema near Poona. He was born to a Brahmin family of the Deshastha tribe. His mother's name was Smt. Parvati Devi and his father's name was Sri. Harinarain Rajguru. His full name was 'Hari Shivaram Rajguru' or 'Shivram Hari Rajguru'. On every 24th August, on Rajguru birthday, Saheed Rajguru birth anniversary is observed in remembrance of his courageous act and sacrifice. Rajguru’s birthday is the beginning of a new era in Indian history.

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Facts About Saheed Shivaram Rajguru and His Life

In 1914, when he was just six years old, his father died. The responsibility of his family fell onto his brother's shoulders. His brother Dinkar took the responsibility and fed his mother and his brother. He received primary education locally at Khed and later studied in New English High School in Pune (Poona). His brother took care of him when his father died, and his family had some dreams for Shivaram Rajguru, but destiny took turns afterwards.

He took an interest in politics from an early age, and he even joined the Seva Dal at a young age. Dr N. S. Hardikar was a crucial character in the life of Shivaram Rajguru, as he was the first man whom Rajguru approached. He even attended several training camps that Dr N. S. Hardikar conducted. He used to listen to the stories about freedom fighters and was inspired by the revolutionary ideas of Lokmanya Tilak.

At the tender age of 15, he walked to Varanasi and was admitted to a Sanskrit School. It is said, it took six days to reach Varanasi. In that school, he made some new friends who were like him, revolutionaries. Gradually his aim became clear. His single aim was to overthrow the British Colonists. He chose a violent path. He wanted freedom for India by any means necessary.

To fulfil his dream, he joined the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army. One of the most significant events in his life was when he met Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev. Their friendship grew very strong as they shared the same idea of freedom in their hearts and minds.

Simon Commission and its Aftermath

A new archival form of governance was introduced by the British. The Indians asked for a revision of this new reform. The Government of India Act 1919 stated that a commission would be made after ten years to investigate the country's progress and examine how the government schemes reach the public. And based on the reports, new schemes would be created, and required reforms could be done. For this purpose, the British employed seven members of Parliaments to constitute a committee. This committee was led by a British man, Sir John Simon.

The people of India were outraged because a member of seven MPs was going to decide the future of India, and yet there is not a single Indian who was on that seven-membered committee. The Indian national congress, in 1927, organised several protests and appealed to the Indians to boycott Simon Commission and challenged Lord Birkenhead, the then Secretary of State of India. They asked the secretary to draft a constitution that would be acceptable to all the Indian populace. The Muslim League led by Mohammad Ali Jinnah also decided to boycott the Simon Commission.

The Simon Commission left England in January 1928, and immediately when they arrived, there were massive protests on the way. People greeted the commission with black flags. Similar protests occurred in almost all major cities in India. Out of which one protest against the 'Simon Commission' became famous or rather infamous. On 30th October 1928, when the commission arrived at Lahore, they were confronted by protesters who were ready to greet them with black flags. That specific protest was led by an Indian nationalist, Lala Lajpat Rai. He had passed a resolution against this commission in the Legislative Assembly of Punjab back in February of that year. Then the local police started beating the protesters. In that protest, Among others, Lala Lajpat Rai being the leader, was critically injured. He then died after some days.

This news spread like wildfire in India. People were outraged. Rajguru, along with Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev, made a plan to assassinate a British Police officer, J. P. Saunders, at Lahore in 1928 to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai. Several Indians praised this deed. Several Indian nationals condemned this. The Indian National Congress condemned this act. But at the end of the day, it sparked a revolution in the Indian minds and hearts—a generation of freedom fighters inspired by them fast-paced the revolution.

What Happened After the Assassination by Shivaram Rajguru?

After the assassination, Rajguru lived a life of a fugitive. He went to Nagpur for hiding. He took shelter in Nagpur in some RSS worker's house and met K. B. Hedgewar. On his way back to Pune, He was arrested by the police. The three men, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru, and 21 other co-conspirators, were arrested and tried under an explicitly designed regulation. They were in jail for over a year. Their story continued to inspire the people of India. Rajguru, along with the two brave men, were hanged on 23rd march 1931. Later, their bodies were cremated on the banks of river Sutlej. The age of Shivaram Rajguru was just 23 when he became a martyr. His close associates say he had a heart of iron, a fearless spirit, and courage. He was the 'gunman' of Bhagat Singh's Party.

Listening to these acts of courage, we should question ourselves, do we deserve freedom? This freedom is misused by the same people for whom Great men like Shivaram Rajguru sacrificed their lives. Violence, riots, thefts, and corruption have crippled our nation. Politicians, for their gain, divide our people and people still have no idea what is the power of a vote and how much violence and human life it cost to get the power to choose our leader. Democracy also has a price. All people need is to participate in the process. Democracy is like an active sport. Our job does not end when we cast a vote; rather, it begins when we vote.  We fall for petty personal and short-time gains and do not even think about the country's future. We should not forget the freedom that we enjoy comes at a price. We are just enjoying the fruits from the trees planted a long time ago. We should indulge ourselves in nation-making activities to make the freedom that we enjoy worthwhile.