Salute to the Revolutionaries: ​The Kakori Train Action

I am a senior citizen, and in my school days, in different classes, I read that India had freedom because of ‘mainly two families’, which is known to all. However, the historical fact is that millions of people participated in the freedom movement. Of them, many lost their lives, were physically disabled, or suffered in many ways.
I am highlighting the Kakori Train Action case, a train ‘robbery’ committed by the revolutionaries of the Indian independence movement against the British Raj on August 9, 1925, in a village called Kakori near Lucknow. I visited the place when I visited Lucknow for some academic activities. My eyes were full of tears as young people were hanged because they were against colonial rule (British rulers). The British rulers came thousands of miles away to exploit Indian resources, including human resources. Anyway, the Kakori Train Action was carried out by ten revolutionaries, including Hindustan Republican Association’s (HRA) revolutionary Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Rajendra Lahiri, Keshav Chakraborty, Mukundi Lal, and Banwari Lal. Hindustan Republic Association (HRA) was formed 1923 by Ram Prasad Bismil. Later, it was renamed as Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA). Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Rajendra Lahiri, Chandrashekhar Azad, Sachindra Bakshi, Keshab Chakravarty, Manmathnath Gupta, Murari Lal Gupta (Murari Lal Khanna), Mukundi Lal (Mukundi Lal Gupta) and Banwari Lal were the leading revolutionaries involved in the Kakori Incident. The freedom fighters Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan and Roshan Singh were hanged on December 19, 1927 for their involvement in the Conspiracy. On 19 December 19, 1927, Ram Prasad ‘Bismil’ was hanged at Gorakhpur Jail, Roshan Singh at Naini Allahabad Jail, and Ashfaqulla Khan at Faizabad Jail. They were all in their late 20s or early 30s. It is pertinent to mention that Rajendra Nath Lahiri, known simply as Rajendra Lahiri, was hanged in the Gonda district jail on December 17, 1927, two days before the scheduled date. The martyrs are remembered today as symbols of courage and sacrifice. They placed freedom and patriotism above their comfort and lives.
I am a senior citizen, and although the British Raj killed them, they are still in the hearts of many Indians today.
I offer them my Pronam because we now live in a democratic country and because of the sacrifices made by millions of freedom fighters, including them.
Prof Shankar Chatterjee, Hyderabad

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Published by Dr. Shankar Chatterjee

This is Dr Shankar Chatterjee, retired on superannuation from the post of Professor & Head (CPME) from NIRD&PR, an organization of Govt. of India. I have published 32 books (individual and joint) and around 500 plus research papers, articles, letters. In addition, more than 1000 comments/views uploaded in the Digital column of different leading newspapers such as The Times of India, The Hindu etc. I have travelled across India for research studies and for other academic works, also visited Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Eritrea, Italy, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru, Namibia, Sri Lanka etc. as resource person. And for other purposes, I was in Austria, Germany, England, China, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Vatican City, Egypt, Yemen, Qatar, etc. In Rome, FAO, my research paper was appreciated and then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Sri Rajsekhar Reddy Sir called me and greeted me. I have represented Assam State Hockey Team in All India Junior National Hockey and acted in a Telugu cinema. In January 2019, I have received Life Time Achievement Award under the banner of International Academic Excellence Awards -2019, from EAST (Environmental Advisory for Sustainable Trust), Tamil Nadu, India.