Shadow Correspondent
JAMMU, July 23:
To remember Martyr Chander Shekhar Azad, the J&K Freedom Fighters Association (JKFFA) on Tuesday held a function on his 113th birth anniversary at Dogra Shaurya Sthal Amphalla, Jammu. The function was organized by Chairman JKFFA Ved Gandhotra and Vice Chairman Rajiv Mahajan.
Speaking on the occasion, Mahajan said Chandra Shekhar Azad was a great Indian freedom fighter. His fierce patriotism and courage inspired others of his generation to enter freedom struggle. He was the mentor of Bhagat Singh, another great freedom fighter, and along with Bhagat Singh he is considered as one of the greatest revolutionaries that India has produced.
Chandra Shekhar Azad was a Bharatiya revolutionary from Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. He believed that his Dharma was to fight for the Nation. He said a soldier never relinquishes his weapon. He was involved in the Kakori Train Robbery (1926), in the attempt to blow up the Viceroy’s train (1926), and in the shooting of Saunders at Lahore (1928) to avenge the killing of Lala Lajpat Rai. He formed the ‘Hindustan Socialist Republican Association’. He was an ideal for revolutionaries such as Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Batukeshwar Dutt and Rajguru, Mahajan added.
Chandra Shekhar Azad was deeply troubled by the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in Amritsar in 1919. In 1921, when Mahatma Gandhi launched Non-Cooperation movement, he actively participated in revolutionary activities. He received his first punishment at the age of fifteen. He was caught while indulging in revolutionary activities. When the magistrate asked him his name, he said “Azad” (meaning free). He was sentenced to fifteen lashes. With each stroke of the whip the young Chandrasekhar shouted “Bharat Mata ki Jai !”. From then on Chandra Shekhar assumed the title of Azad and came to known as Chandra Shekhar Azad. He vowed that he would never be arrested by the British police and would die as free man.
Mahajan further added that Chandra Shekhar Azad was then attracted towards more aggressive and revolutionary ideals. He committed himself to complete independence by any means. Azad and his compatriots would target British officials known for their oppressive actions against ordinary people and freedom fighters. Azad was a terror for British police. He was on their hit list and the British police badly wanted to capture him dead or alive.
On February 27, 1931 Azad met two of his comrades at the Alfred Park Allahabad. He was betrayed by an informer who had informed the British police. The police surrounded the park and ordered Azad to surrender. Azad fought alone valiantly and killed three policemen. But finding himself surrounded and seeing no route for escape, he shot himself. Thus he kept his pledge of not being caught alive. Azad lived only for 25 years, but inspired thousands of Indians to take part in freedom struggle, he added.
Meanwhile JKFFA saluted the family of martyred Aurangzeb whose two younger brothers inspired by the courage and valour of their elder brother martyred in the line of duty, recently joined the army.
Undeterred by the unfortunate death of their brother, the two also opted to serve the country with as much dedication and patriotism as Aurangzeb had. In a video shot moments before he was mercilessly killed, he was seen fearlessly speaking to the terrorist.
