Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA)

The Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) was a revolutionary organization founded in 1928 by leaders like Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Sukhdev to establish a socialist, republican state in India. The HSRA played a pivotal role in advancing the revolutionary movement, inspiring youth and shaping anti-colonial sentiment, especially through acts of defiance like the Lahore Conspiracy and the Central Legislative Assembly bombing. This article aims to study in detail the formation, actions, and significance of the HSRA in the context of the Indian freedom struggle.

Formation of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA)

• The Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) was formed on September 10, 1928, at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi, by prominent revolutionaries like Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Ajay Ghosh, Surya Sen, Jatindranath, and others.
• This organisation emerged with the primary aim of establishing a socialist republic in India, marking a shift in revolutionary activity focusing on socialism.

Founder of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA)

• The Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) was founded in 1928 by Chandrasekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, Rajguru, and others as a revolutionary organisation committed to India’s complete independence.
• Established initially as the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) in 1924 by Ram Prasad Bismil and his associates, the group was later reorganised and renamed to emphasise its socialist ideology under Azad’s leadership.
• HSRA aimed to overthrow British colonial rule through armed struggle inspired by the principles of socialism and equality.
• The group is famously known for its acts of defiance, such as the Kakori Train Robbery (1925) and the Lahore Conspiracy Case (1929), which left an indelible mark on India’s freedom struggle.

First Revolutionary Acts

• The first major action by the HSRA was the assassination of J.A. Saunders, the Assistant Superintendent of Police in Lahore, on 30th October 1928.
• Saunders was responsible for the brutal lathi charge that led to the death of Lala Lajpat Rai during an anti-Simon protest earlier that year.
• The assassination was carried out by Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Rajguru.

Bombing of Central Legislative Assembly

• On 8th April 1929, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi, targeting the government benches while protesting the Public Safety Bill and Trade Disputes Act.
• Their goal was not to cause harm but to use the event as a platform for spreading revolutionary ideas.
• The act was meant to draw attention to the oppression of the British government and spark a larger political awakening.

Repression and Hunger Strikes

• Following their arrest, the HSRA leaders were subjected to brutal treatment in jail.
• They launched a hunger strike demanding to be recognised as political prisoners, not common criminals.
• During the strike, Jatin Das, one of the revolutionaries, died after enduring 64 days of fasting.
• Eventually, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were executed on 23rd March 1931.
• Their martyrdom galvanised the freedom movement, and they became symbols of revolutionary zeal and sacrifice.

Public Safety Bill and Trade Disputes Act

Public Safety Bill (1929)

• The Public Safety Bill was aimed at suppressing leftist and socialist activities, specifically targeting leaders like Ben Bradley and Philip Spratt, who were supporting the working-class movement in India.
• It allowed the government to arrest individuals without proper legal proceedings.

Trade Disputes Act (1929)

• The Trade Disputes Act aimed to control industrial disputes and create a conciliation machinery for settling issues in industrial relations.
• It prohibited strikes in public utility services without prior notice and made it illegal to strike for purposes other than industrial disputes.

Chittagong Armoury Raid

• In 1930, Surya Sen (Masterda) and his associates led the Chittagong armoury raid, one of the most daring revolutionary acts of its time.
• The aim was to capture weapons from the armouries of the police and auxiliary forces in Chittagong, Bengal (now Bangladesh), to fuel the revolutionary movement.

Aftermath of Chittagong Armoury Raid

• On 18th April 1930, the revolutionaries successfully captured many arms but failed to secure ammunition.
• They later took refuge in the Jalalabad Hills, where British forces surrounded them. Despite putting up a fierce resistance, twelve revolutionaries were martyred during the encounter.

Trials and Executions in Chittagong Armoury Raid

• In the aftermath of the raid, many revolutionaries were arrested. Masterda and Tarakeswar Dastidar were later executed in 1934.
• The Chittagong group’s courage and resolve left a lasting impact on the Indian freedom struggle.

Conclusion

While the revolutionary activities led by the HSRA and the Chittagong Uprising were eventually crushed, their legacy remained a powerful symbol of resistance against British colonial rule. The sacrifices made by these revolutionaries inspired future generations and contributed significantly to the rising tide of nationalism that eventually led to India’s independence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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