Shivaram Rajguru

An important figure in the Indian independence movement against British colonial control was the revolutionary and freedom fighter Shivaram Hari Rajguru. On August 24, 1908, he was born in Khed, a Maharashtra village close to Pune. For his role in the historic incident on April 8, 1929, when Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw non-lethal bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi in protest of oppressive legislation, Shivaram Rajguru is well remembered.

Birth Anniversary

We celebrate Shivaram Hari Rajguru's birth anniversary on August 24. On March 23, 1931, the British authorities sentenced freedom fighter Rajguru, Sukhdev, and Bhagat Singh to death by hanging. On August 24, 1908, in the Maharashtra town of Khed, Rajguru was born to Parvati Devi and Harinarain Rajguru.

Early Life and Education

Shivaram Hari Rajguru came from a middle-class background. At the age of six, his father passed away, leaving his older brother Dinkar to take over the family's responsibilities. He traveled to Pune for further schooling after completing his primary education in his village. He was a gifted student who did well academically even though he had financial difficulties.

Rajguru grew to be greatly inspired by Lokmanya Tilak's philosophy as he grew older. He joined the "Seva Dal," attending Ghatprabha training sessions and contributing enthusiastically. He then committed himself to the cause of Indian independence by enlisting in the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army.

Freedom Fighter Rajguru

Shivaram Rajguru was raised observing the ongoing injustice and exploitation India was subjected to at the hands of the British Raj. The Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), which was established in 1928 by well-known individuals like Chandrasekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh, was an organization Rajguru joined in his late teens. Rajguru espoused militant nationalism, which maintains that oppression must be confronted with uncompromising ferocity and brutality. His belief in nonviolent Satyagraha was not the same as Mahatma Gandhi's.

His purposeful touching of a hot iron with his bare hands served as an example of his unwavering resolve. Rajguru clarified that he was trying his mettle in anticipation of any police abuse when Chandrasekhar Azad questioned the logic of such an act.

Because of his extraordinary shooting prowess while going by the nickname Raghunath, Rajguru became known as "Gunman" within the HSRA. His involvement in the murder of British police officer J.P. Saunders, however, is his most noteworthy and lasting contribution. With Rajguru and Bhagat Singh firing the final shots, this deed was painstakingly prepared by Sukhdev, Bhagat Singh, and Chandrasekhar Azad.

When Lala Lajpat Rai was thought to have died from injuries received during a vicious police lathi charge while protesting against the Simon Commission, their purpose was a desire for vengeance. James A. Scott, the policeman in charge of issuing the lathi charge order, was their first intended target. On the other hand, Saunders was murdered due to mistaken identity. The revolutionaries nevertheless claimed to have exacted revenge on Lala Lajpat Rai.

Rajguru tried to escape the police after the assassination by running away to Nagpur. Regretfully, he was stopped and taken into custody during his journey to Pune.

Assembly Bombing

Rajguru's participation, together with Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt, in the bombing of the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi stands out as one of his most significant life experiences. This action was taken with the purpose of drawing attention to the oppressive nature of colonial laws rather than causing casualties. The goal of the revolutionaries was to use the upcoming trial to further their cause.

Arrest, Trial, and Execution

Amidst the Lahore conspiracy case in 1929, Rajguru, Bhagat Singh, and Sukhdev Thapar were all on the verge of being arrested. After that, they went on trial and were given the death penalty for their roles in J. P. Saunders's assassination. Along with Sukhdev Thapar and Bhagat Singh, Rajguru was executed by hanging on March 23, 1931, a terrible day in Lahore jail.

Awards and Honors

Despite not receiving any formal accolades or honors during his lifetime, Rajguru's historical significance surpasses this acknowledgment. He is regarded by many as one of the most important martyrs of the Indian independence movement and as a national hero by the Indian populace.