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DI:Personality
LALA LAJPAT RAI
While in jail he fell ill and his health deteriorated. When the public learnt this
vigorous agitation was started throughout the country for his release. Government
released him. Lalaji went to Solan to improve his health.
Organizing the Hindus
As soon as his health improved Lalaji become active again. He joined the 'Swaraj Party'
of Motilal Nehru. He was elected to the Central Legislative Assembly. By that time the
Hindu Muslim unity move shaped by Mahatma Gandhi had failed.
Lalaji had to turn his attention to communal problems. He was himself influenced by the
Arya Samaj and was a staunch supporter of the Hindu dharma. But he was aware of the need
for Hindu Muslim unity in the fight for Swaraj. The Non-Cooperation movement was
crumbling and ill feeling between different communities was reaching dangerous
proportions. In the 1924 Hindu-Muslim riots Hindus suffered much in Kohat of
North-West Frontier Province. In two days of riots not only were 150 Hindus
killed but also 400 persons had also to be shifted to Rawalpindi. Mahatma Gandhi
undertook a fast. There was a conference to bring about friendship among the followers
of different religions and a national council was set up. But the problem was not
solved. The Kohat tragedy pained and disappointed Lalaji. He had to stand by the
helpless Hindu community. To counteract associations formed by the Muslims, Lalaji
tirelessly fostered movements for 'Purification of Hinduism 'and 'Organization of
Hinduism'. As long ago as 'in 1924 Lalaji expressed the fear that Muslims might want
a division of India and demand a separate state for themselves. This shows his far-
sightedness.
He presided over the Hindu Mahasabha held at Calcutta in 1925. The speech he made about
Hindu dharma and the necessity to uphold it woke up the Hindus. In 1926 Lalaji
participated in the International Labor Conference held at Geneva as a representative
of workers in India. He also took part in similar conferences held in Britain and France.
"Unhappy India"
Lalaji went to Europe in 1927 to improve his health. Katherine Mayo, a foreign
journalist, visited India. She wrote a book called 'Mother India'. It was about
Indian civilization, culture and life. She saw only sheer ignorance and filth in
India and nothing good or decent. It gave a totally misleading picture of India.
In an article Gandhiji protested and called it a 'gutter inspector's report'. The book
Mayo wrote was published when Lalaji was in London. The book created uproar in India
and Britain. People who were opposed to the freedom of India had given money for the
publication of the book. Lalaji read it. He could not keep quiet. Soon after his return
to India the first thing he did was to write a book 'Unhappy India.' He gave a fitting
reply to the false propaganda of Miss Mayo.
The Simon Commission
The non-cooperation movement failed. Therefore there was a lull in political activities.
In 1927 the British Government wanted a report on political reforms in India and on
amending the Government of India Act. So it appointed a commission. The commission
consisted of Sir John Simon and six other members. All of them were members of the
British Parliament. There was not a single Indian as member. It was composed solely
of White people. The commission was an insult to Indians. These White men were to
shape the future of India. The people of India rose as one man against this step.
Under Lalaji's leadership, it was resolved to boycott the Simon Commission.
Lajpat Rai moved a resolution in the Central Legislative Assembly in February 1928.
"The present constitution of the Commission and its terms of reference are unworthy
of acceptance by this House; therefore, this House advises the Government that it
should have nothing to do with the Commission." He made an impassioned speech on that
occasion. There were several English men and government officers in the Legislative
Assembly. It was known that they would vote against the resolution. Lalaji appealed
to the Indian members thus: "Let the members understand that they are slaves in the
eyes of the British Government and of the world. When they vote on the resolution let
them remember that in 1919, because of a single epidemic, six crores of people died
in our country. Let them remember that in this country ten crores of people do not
have even one meal a day."
What right did the British Parliament have to frame a constitution for India? That was
Lalaji's fearless question. Only Indians had the right to decide about their future.
They were determined about it. The report of Motilal Nehru and his colleagues was ready.
It had protested against the British attitude. Lalaji toured the whole of India to give
publicity to the Nehru report. He asserted: "Those who oppose the report are the enemies
of Swaraj and enemies of India."
Imperialism Strikes
The 30th of October 1928 was an evil day in India's political history. The Simon
Commission was expected to arrive in Lahore on that day. The rulers had taken
precautions to prevent a public protest. Prohibitory orders were enforced. Lalaji was
ill that day. Still he led the procession to protest against the. Commission.
When the Simon Commission arrived, on one side there where traitors to welcome them.
On another side the revolutionaries demonstrated against the Commission. In the protest
march youths staged a tremendous show. A hartal was observed that day; there was a sea
of black flags. Thousands and thousands of hearts and voices shouted "Simon, go back!"
The lion of Punjab, Lala Lajpat Rai, led the procession. When the trains reached the
station, the cry "Simon, go back!" hit the sky. Police security arrangements crumbled.
The crowd was so thick that movement was impossible. The Police charged with their
Lathis (stout sticks). The blood of innocent people began to flow. Lalaji's friends
Sukhdev, Yashpal, Bhagavati Charan and others surrounded him, in order to protect him.
Police officer Scot saw Lalaji and his bodyguards. He ordered the Police to beat
thebodyguards. A Police officer named Sanders came forward to do the job. The Police
Lathis rained blows on Lalaji - on the head and all over the body. Lala realized this
incident would lead to conflict and a bloodbath. He told the huge crowd of revolutionary
youths: "Leave this place." The crowd dispersed.
The same evening there was a mammoth public meeting. The despicable action of the Police
was severely condemned and the Simon Commission was boycotted. Police Deputy
Superintendent Neal was present at the meeting. Lalaji turned to Neal and said in
English so that he could understand him: "The blows, which fell on me today, are the
last nails driven into the coffin of British Imperialism."
One word from Lajpat Rai to the youths would have been enough; they would have let
loose rivers of blood. But Lalaji practiced non-violence strictly. The country had to
restrain its anger. In the very week of the incident Lalaji attended the All-India
Congress Committee and all-party meetings. He grew weak and returned to Lahore.
Lalaji fell ill and died of a heart attack on 17th November 1928. The whole of India
knew that his death was a result of the lathi blows. A deliberate murder by the Police!
More than a lakh of people took up in his funeral procession.
Country Did Not Forget
The movement did not abate though Lalaji died. In fact it acquired a new vigor. The
Congress Party began the no-tax campaign. Punjab could not easily forget Lalaji's
death. To avenge the cowardly Whites' attack on their beloved leader, the people of
Punjab rose in fierce revolt. The young revolutionary Bhagat Singh murdered the Police
officer Sanders, mainly responsible for the attack on Lalaji, in a dreadful manner.
This happened on December 17, exactly one month after Lalaji's death. Next year the
British sentenced Bhagat Singh to death.
'The Lion of Punjab'
The lesson which the Lion of Punjab Lala Lajpat Rai taught the country was to be brave.
To the Indians in the chains of slavery his message was "Begging or prayer cannot bring
freedom. You can win it only through struggle and sacrifice." Because throughout his
life he fought fearlessly, he was called the Lion of Punjab. The sacrifice of his life
was like a warrior's death in battle.
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