Lala Lajpat Rai was a revolutionary leader. A radical freedom fighter and a part of the famous trio : Lal – Bal – Pal. On November 11, 1928, Lala Lajpat Rai died of a heart attack. It is said that he never recovered from the blows which he received while protesting against the Simon commission.
Lala Lajpat Rai
Lala ji’s death was significant for several reasons. It marked the beginning of the end of radical activists in the Congress party. He had started the Indian Home Rule League in the US, to help the cause of India’s freedom in America. Rai’s death became one of the motivating factors for Bhagat Singh to take a direct action against the British Raj.
On the occasion of his death anniversary, here are a few facts about the ‘Punjab Kesari’.
- From Law to Politics
Lal-bal-pal
Lalaji was a son of a Urdu professor. He studied law at Government College at Lahore. While studying there, he came in contact with the likes of Lala Hans Raj and Pandit Guru Dutt. In the same period, Lala Rai was heavily influenced by the Hindu reformism promoted by Swami Dayanand Saraswati.
Besides being a certified lawyer, Rai was also a journalist. He contributed to the likes of Tribune and helped in setting up the Dayanand Anglo – Vedi School, Lahore. Rai quit law in 1914, and traveeled to England and the United States to promote the cause of Indian independence. It was during this period that he formed the Indian Home Rule League of America in New York.
- Martyr’s day
India observes martyr’s day on six different occasions. The death anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai is celebrated as Martyr’s day in the Indian state of Odisha.
Rai’s persistence on Indian independence and his efforts to revolt against the British raj using violent and nonviolent methods have inspired the nation. Odisha celebrates the death anniversary of Rai as martyr’s day. Many generations have been inspired by the leader who died fighting for the country’s freedom.
- Educationist at heart
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Tribune India
Lala Lajpat Rai was a staunch supporter of education. Besides laying the foundation of the freedom struggle in North India, Rai played an important role in setting up several educational institutes. Lala Lajpat Rai was one of the founding members of the national DAV College Managing Committee. The educational institute was founded in the memory of Rai’s guru, Swami Dayanand Saraswati.
- Lala Lajpat Rai and Bhagat Singh
Bhagat Singh was a student in the same college which Rai had founded. He was also a part of the protest where Rai lost his life, and Bhagat Singh was revolted by the brutality inflicted by the British.
Bhagat Singh – Rajuguru – Sukhdev shot John Saunders, a British officer eight times from the DAV college in Lahore. Chandrashekhar Azad was also involved in this mission. According to the archives accessed by The Dawn, all of them escaped through college hostels.
