Bhagat Singh’s nephew decries political gimmicks
Image credit Prof. Jagmohan Singh
AAP faces criticism over use of Bhagat Singh images in protests
Amidst uproar in Punjab on the issues of placing Kejriwal’s picture between Bhagat Singh and BR Amedkar, and keeping mass hunger strikes by the AAP leaders in Delhi and Punjab, Prof. Jagmohan Singh, Bhagat Singh’s nephew and Director of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Creativity Centre, speaks to Bhawna Malik.
Bhawna: There is a huge debate in Punjab’s political circles about the placement of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s picture next to Bhagat Singh and Ambedkar while his wife Sunita Kejriwal records video messages. Your reaction on this?
Prof. Jagmohan: It’s just an emotional outburst of the people. If any one loves Bhagat Singh and Ambedkar, why do they not live their values, respect the Constitution and have love for the country. Both Bhagat Singh and Ambedkar were ideals and not just ideas.
I am not pro or anti of any political party, but no doubt the opposition is being muzzled today. Leaders are arrested while code of conduct is in place. It reminds me of S.Y. Qureshi, former Chief Election Commissioner of India, once said that “arrest should be postponed”. The process of neutralising the issue is being followed. We are blindly following the Act of 1818, when anyone could be arrested on the basis of doubt.
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Bhawna: Protesting the arrest of Kejriwal, CM Bhagwant Maan has called for one day mass hunger strike by all the AAP leaders at Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of Bhagat Singh. The AAP in Delhi has also announced one day upvaas. How do you see this?
Prof. Jagmohan Honestly, Bhagat Singh should not be used for political gains and/or political gimmicks. Rather his vision for the country must be understood and followed. Bhagat Singh and his jail inmates had a hunger strike for hundred and fifteen days protesting the atrocities of the Britishers. That should be the spirit not just for political mileage. If the AAP leaders in Punjab really idolise Bhagat Singh then, why from the last two years the museum dedicated to Bhagat Singh is closed in Punjab, despite the government spending crores of rupees?
Amedkar Sahib endorsed Liberty, Equality and Fraternity in the Indian Constitution but he also added social justice.
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Bhawna: Each political party claims to save the Constitution? What according to you is the biggest challenge?
Prof. Jagmohan The procedure of the Constitution is at risk. The collective freedom of the citizens is at stake hence, biggest threat is to the Indian democracy. The amendments in the Criminal Procedure are quite dangerous. The pharmaceutical companies will just be fined, the corporates are being strengthened and the common man has to face the brunt. In my recent visit to Australia, I saw students doing Ph.D on the topic of ‘how collectively the corporates and the Government are befooling the citizens”.
Bhawna: Are you hinting at Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) also?
Prof. Jagmohan: Yes, that too. It is destabilising the system. The 1857 revolt had this purpose only. I personally know a family in Faizabad who do not have papers. They suffered in 1947 and now again they are homeless, with no papers to prove their citizenship.
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Bhawna You mentioned Bhagat Singh’s values. What was his vision for India, or Punjab?
Prof. Jagmohan: Bhagat Singh never saw India in parts and he was very clear, that if India is free and progresses then Punjab will automatically progress. His writings or his Jail Diary has a well-defined model of India. Inquilab Zindabad is not just a slogan but a spirit and a revolutionary passion to solve the problems and a basic approach to life. Today this is being used as a mantra to gain mileage.
Bhawna: Can you elaborate on Bhagat Singh’s vision for India and his values?
Prof. Jagmohan His jail diary has everything in black and white. His idea of India was of humanity, brotherhood, equality and welfare of all. He spoke against ‘Samrajyavad’, the corporates. Bhagat Singh, wrote in his diary that when govts are hands in glove with the corporates and loot the public then no country can claim to be Independent. Bhagat Singh was very close to my mother and he told her clearly that we are at a very critical point of history, and in fifteen years Britishers will leave India and exactly in 1947 Britishers left India.
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Bhawna: Bhagat Singh is a youth icon, especially in Punjab, then how come youth are engulfed in drugs?
Prof. Jagmohan: Today, youths are half informed through social media. Independent thinkers are silenced today. Britishers gave an education system to train Indians as mere clerks not well-educated individuals. Bhagat Singh and Sri Aurobindo clearly stated that there are two types of people or citizens – country loyalists and system loyalists. Today majority are with the system – accepting awards, jobs, election tickets then how can they be independent in thinking. Even Rabindranath Tagore returned his award to fight for the freedom of India.
Bhagat Singh in 1926, founded Naujawan Bharat Sabha that gathered together the worker and the peasant youth. The aim was to awaken the nationalist and revolutionary ideologies and this became the most radical group of its time. Youth has great energy and passion if channelized properly. We need to understand our Indian Society and International forces once again.
Bhawna: You mentioned nationalistic and revolutionary ideologies. Today from political stages we hear Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Vande Matram, etc.
Prof. Jagmohan: Not at all. Bharat Mata is love that a mother has for her children. Bhagat Singh in his diary wrote that the youth must be free from religious fanaticism, gender bias, caste bias, inequality. He wanted the people to apply reason and logic for everything. If any political party or government in power is encashing a particular emotion, do understand the reason behind it. Today all this is happening right before our eyes. Bharat Mata ki Jai and Vande Matram are our sensibilities of love, non-violence, empathy and compassion. We are believers of Ahimsa.
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Bhawna: Bhagat Singh spoke on farmers’ issues also?
Prof. Jagmohan: Yes, he categorically wrote that farmers should not be made to pay multiple taxes rather just one tax. Every citizen should be a producer. Bhagat Singh was against Daan, charity. He envisioned a self-reliant citizen not depending on government freebies. There is a difference between relief and charity. If Ambani is getting richer day by day, what are the remaining 140 crores of people getting.
Bhawna: Today we criticism of Gandhi, Nehru and often it turns out to be Gandhi vs Bhagat Singh. Do you agree to this that Gandhi and Bhagat Singh were not on same page?
Prof. Jagmohan: The narrative of Gandhi vs Bhagat Singh was created after 1950. I feel Bhagat Singh was complementary to Gandhi. Bhagat Singh wrote in his jail diary that “we are vanguards of the broad national movement”. They all command equal respect. There working might be different but aim was – Independence of India. The Britishers created fear of jail and other atrocities in Indians but Bhagat Singh believed that Indians should be fearless. He ushered in a new consciousness among the people of Yug Paltao and Raj Paltao. Change of Era , rule and value system.
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Bhawna: Punjab has the Akalis, the Congress, the AAP and now the BJP is trying to enter Punjab. Which party for you is best for Punjab and why?
Prof. Jagmohan: No party is with the commitment… Today people must wake up, introspect and must understand the value of their vote. Now is the time to relive Yug paltao and Raj paltao. That’s the true respect for Bhagat Singh and other freedom fighters.
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