A Forgotten Patriot - by Shipra Jaiswal

In Pentonville jail, London, they asked him his name. 'Ram Muhammad Singh Azaad' came the quick reply. The authorities were shocked that how can he be a Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Azaad at the same time.

Yes, he was Udham Singh(name given by the British) from Punjab who represented India in his own manner. An orphan, Azaad was involved in social service from the very beginning of his life and it was while doing this he witnessed one of the most vicious crimes against humanity, that was a mass genocide at Jallianwalla Bhagh at Amritsar on April 14, 1919 that was Baisakhi day, an auspicious day for Punjabis. A mass that assembled there for a peaceful protest against the Rowlatt act was shot at till there were no more cartridges left to shower death.

Azaad was grieved by this and this grief turned into hatred for the British imperialism.He joined many revolutionary parties and worked with many other comrades all over the world just to reach O'Dwyer who he had vowed to kill finding him responsible for the genocide of Jallianwala Bagh. The methods of the revolutionaries of the time were sometimes quite indirect like distributing food items on pamphlets which once read would stir the youth of the nation.
Azaad was an ardent supporter of rights of the workers all over the world.

Shot Michael O'Dwyer(note- not General Dyer, who had already died due to paralysis. It was Dyer who was with the squad who shot and O'Dwyer was the one who ordered General Dyer to use such methods) in Caxton Hall, London while he was giving a speech, feeling proud about his doings in Jallianwala Bagh. He didn't panic after the shooting and had a smile of satisfaction on his face when he was arrested. Main mission of his life had been completed.

Was awarded death punishment and accepted that too with a broad smile while Great lawyer like Gandhi, Nehru and Krishna Menon did nothing except passing foolish remarks. The India's elite section, who had gotten education in schools in London, and became our leaders in India were just having tea parties with the British while our one of the most patriotic citizen was being hanged in London. Even his remains were not allowed to be brought to India till this issue was taken up by the rural people themselves and they brought his remains home in 1974.

Have we lived upto the expectations of our Martyrs???

Is this what we have today was the desires of those who sacrificed there everything for our tomorrow??? And do we even know that who were these great martyrs and what they did for us???

Many of the names are still in dark and will remain so but are waiting for the light to fall upon us.