'Raste pe tumhare chalke hum…'

(We tread the path that you have blazed...)

It was an unforgettable programme organised by the Hind Naujavan Ekta Sabha (HNES) on October 7, 2007 that drew hundreds of youth, workers, peasants and their families, on the occasion of the birth centenary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. The spirit of the youth was embodied in the famous words "Sarfaroshi ki tamanna" (Ready to sacrifice one-self) - for the cause of establishing worker-peasant rule in this land.

About 500 young women and men, families, activists of HNES, people's organisations from here and abroad and several veteran activists filled the hall by about 2 p.m. The inspirational and enthusiastic programme commenced with reverberating sloganshailing Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his comrades.

The organisers and activists of the programme very proudly declared that this was an occasion for mobilizing and organizing youth to put an end to all forms of exploitation and to usher in a bright future for all toiling people of this country and for spreading this message through plays, dances, songs and other cultural forms.

The preparation for the programme began more than one and half month in advance, where the youth and activists of HNES spread across a number of jhuggis and resettlement colonies, schools, colleges, establishing contacts with the youth and their families and inspiring them to actively participate in the programme. Many other fighting organisations of youth joined hands with HNES and contributed their might in organising the programme.

Against the backdrop “Organise, become the rulers and transform society” – the slogan of HNES, and pictures of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, the programme made a colourful start with the entire cultural group assembling on the stage, carrying red flags and singing in unison “raste pe tumhare chalke hum, azaad ab desh karaengey…ek bar nahin kai sekaron baar, is daar pe hum chadh jayengey..” (Marching on your path, we will liberate our motherland... we will march on this path not once, but a hundred times)

Addressing the gathering Santosh Kumar, founding member of HNES said that we find that the rulers of today are also singing praises to Bhagat Singh and organising exhibitions, and programmes on the occasion. But we should not forget that these rulers are the progeny of those into whose hands the British had transferred the power in 1947, who had conspired with the British Colonialists so that power does not get into the hands of workers and peasants. These rulers want to hide the fact from the present generation of youth that Bhagat Singh and his comrades wanted to overthrow capitalism and imperialism and establish socialism to put an end to all forms of exploitation of men by men. They are scared that the youth of today will be inspired by the deeds of Bhagat Singh and his comrades and will dare to even go to the gallows to overthrow the present state. Hence, the aim of HNES is to bring to fore the reality of the struggle of Bhagat Singh and his comrades so that the youth and toilers of this country can be inspired to become the masters of their own destiny.

The bhangra troupe of Rangabhoomi Natya Samooh staged Bhangra dance full of energy to the tune of the revolutionary song “Rang de basanti chola”. Children and youth presented dances depicting the unity and harmony between different peoples of this land and their culture. Young girls from Punjab presented the folk dance of Giddha which enthralled the audience with its elegance and vigour.

The bourgeois historians depict Bhagat Singh and his comrades as extremists and terrorists, but they never reveal the real aim behind the act of throwing the bombs into the Assembly? What was Bhagat Singh's message to the youth of this country? What was the secret behind his vision and the confidence with which he dared to face the death with a smile on his face? Elaborating on all aspects of the struggle of Bhagat Singh and his comrades, the drama troupe of Rangbhoomi Natya Samooh staged a heart rending play “Faislaa” (the Decision) on the theme of the decision of the revolutionary youth to carry out their courageous act and their well planned exposition of the colonial rule in the course of their subsequent trial. A drama troupe of comrades from Mumbai enacted a Skit on the present political situation in the country. The evergreen song of hope and determination “dekho rang badal raha hai asman ka”, rendered by a youth troupe, once again touched a chord in he gathering, with a number of those in the audience joining those on the stage singing the song.

Comrade Santosh pointed out that the Communist Ghadar Party of India (CGPI) has played a pivotal role in establishing HNES and inspiring and supporting the organisation in its work and struggle. Amidst resounding applause from the gathering, Santosh Kumar invited Comrade Lal Singh, General Secretary of CGPI to the stage and greeted him with a bouquet of red roses. Addressing the gathering, Comrade Lal Singh said that Bhagat was not a “farishtaa” (Messenger of God), who had descended from the skies to liberate his people, as our rulers want to project him. This gathering clearly shows that hundreds and thousands of Bhagat Singhs have already taken birth and the day is not very far away when the rule of exploiters will be overthrown by these Bhagat Singhs of today. The demand for establishing the rule of workers and peasants had already been sounded and there is not a force on earth that can stop them from realizing the dreams of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his comrades. The gathering applauded his call and the hall reverberated with slogans of “Inqilaab Zindabaad! Samrajyavaad Murdabaad” (Long live revolution! Down with Imperialism!)

Many eminent speakers addressed the gathering. Prashant Bhushan, defender of people's rights, leading campaigner against the corruption in the judicial system and senior advocate of the Supreme Court said that the present judicial system is a continuation of the British colonial system that sent Bhagat Singh to the gallows. Pankaj Gupta from the Jan Pratinidhi Manch commended the youth for organising such a grand programme. Comrade Gulab Singh enthralled the gathering with his rendering of the Punjabi revolutionary song “Mitti nu salam doston..”. S.S. Azad of Lok Kala Manch (Punjab) dedicated and presented his Hindi book on Bhagat Singh to HNES.

The Programme reached a crescendo with vigorous and energetic bhangra dance on “pagadi sambhal jatta..” (Oh Jatt, defend your honour...), with gathering calling for an encore and joining the troupe in the most disciplined way in celebrating the heroic deeds of our martyrs, who continue to live in our hearts and inspire us to continue the struggle till vicotry.