Chandrashekhar Azad

Context

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Chandra Shekhar Azad on his birth anniversary. "His role in India’s quest for freedom is deeply valued and motivates our youth to stand up for what is just, with courage and conviction", Prime Minister stated.

Chandrashekhar Azad

Biographical Context & Early Ideological Leanings

Born: July 23, 1906, at Bhavra, Alirajpur District, Madhya Pradesh.
Original Name: Chandra Shekhar Tiwari; adopted the title ‘Azad’ (meaning "free") during court proceedings after being arrested in 1921.
His formative years were shaped by the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22) led by Mahatma Gandhi.
The Chauri Chaura Incident (1922) and Gandhi's subsequent withdrawal of the movement disillusioned him—causing a shift from non-violence to revolutionary nationalism.

Organizational Contributions

Hindustan Republican Association (HRA)

Joined HRA under the mentorship of Ram Prasad Bismil.
Participated in:
- Kakori Train Robbery (1925) – strategic move to loot government funds to fuel revolutionary operations.

Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA)

After Bismil's death and ideological realignment post-Russian Revolution, Azad and Bhagat Singh restructured HRA into HSRA (1928).
Embraced Marxist-Socialist principles with the goal of establishing a socialist republic in India.

Key Revolutionary Acts

Kakori Conspiracy (1925) – looting of British treasury.
Attempted assassination of Viceroy (1926) – failed but symbolic.
Lahore Conspiracy (1928):
- Saunders assassination to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai.
- Assembly bomb-throwing case (by Bhagat Singh & B.K. Dutt, 1929) inspired by Azad's ideology.

Death & Legacy

Date: February 27, 1931 (not January, as sometimes mistakenly cited)
Place: Alfred Park, Allahabad (now renamed Chandrashekhar Azad Park).
Circumstance: Chose suicide over capture – stayed true to his resolve: "Dushman ki goliyon ka hum samna karenge, Azad hi rahein hain, Azad hi rahenge."