Imagining Bhagat Singh

There is a slew of movies on Bhagat Singh this summer. Given the charged atmosphere within the country and the worldwide wave of patriotism,...

There is a slew of movies on Bhagat Singh this summer. Given the charged atmosphere within the country and the worldwide wave of patriotism, it is an opportune time perhaps. But, in the many characterisations of Bhagat Singh spouting love for the motherland, the legacy of Bhagat Singh lies untold.

For one, what was the identity of the motherland that Bhagat Singh loved passionately? It was not just mountains and rivers. It included people. In fact, his passion for the motherland was strongly brought into focus after his visit to Jallianwallah Bagh where peaceful protesters had been brutally murdered. His enemy was a state that oppressed non-violent dissent, and gagged the voice of its people.

He was hung for his 8216;attack8217; on the assembly aimed to bring attention to the violence being perpetrated on his people. He constantly said that there was no intention to hurt anyone in the assembly. In Young India, Gandhiji wrote, 8216;8216;These heroes had conquered the fear of death. Let us bow to them a thousand times for their heroism8217;8217;. That is the legacy of Bhagat Singh.

It is in this context that one must ask whether that legacy is to be celebrated only by the picturisation of characters that heap invective on an enemy and proclaim a willingness to die for one8217;s country? What does Bhagat Singh8217;s legacy mean to the protection of the rights of millions underprivileged in our country today?

The Supreme Court of India said that the dam on the Narmada can be raised only after the government successfully rehabilitated those who are currently displaced by giving them other land and not by cash compensation. So far, the government of Madhya Pradesh has been unable to rehabilitate these communities. And yet, the state pushes to increase the height of the dam, which will result in submergence of these communities. The displaced people are denied access to authorities, are beaten up by police during non-violent protests and their just demands completely ignored. What does the legacy of Bhagat Singh mean to these people? What did it mean to those who were protesting the ridiculous contracts signed with Enron by successive governments? What does it mean to those demanding the right to information, and the end of antiquated laws promulgated by the British to control its colonies? To thousands of others who are protesting breakdown of law and order, corruption, communal violence, erosion of democratic institutions and the high-handedness of those in power?

What does the legacy of Bhagat Singh mean to us as we live our lives, raise our children and build our futures? What does the voice of 8216;8216;Inquilab zindabad8217;8217; in the early morning orange of the rising sun ask of us? Does it remind us of the sacrifices that were made for our freedom 8212; not just from the British but from an oppressive state? Does it urge from us fulfillment of our responsibilities that our children can have greater freedom and a stronger democracy? Does it demand from us our bit to ensure that voices of those that are weak, those who are oppressed are heard 8212; even if we disagree with them? Does it remind us that all voices must have the right to be heard 8212; for it might be our children8217;s voices that are gagged tomorrow?

For if the only voice of Bhagat Singh is one that shouts 8216;Inquilab zindabad8217; from the film screen, it will have been a muted voice. If the legacy of Bhagat Singh is not about democracy and freedom, it will die.