People's Democracy

Bhagat Singh’s Centenery Celebrated

THE Democratic Youth Federation of India and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Memorial Youth Trust have jointly organized a concluding programme of the birth centenary of Bhagat Singh on September 27, 2007 in New Delhi. Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member was the main speaker in the meeting. He said that the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev who along with their comrades challenged the might of the British empire set before their countrymen an example of supreme sacrifice for the cause of the country’s independence. On their part, our people have no doubt always cherished the memories of these and countless martyrs thereafter, but the fact is that remembering the sacrifice of these martyrs has never been of so crucial significance in the history of the independent India as it is today when US imperialism is seeking to dominate us and draw India into their global hegemonic designs. He also said that Bhagat Singh went to the gallows in a cheerful singing mood, when he was hardly 23 years and a half. Yet he came to symbolise the best of aspirations of a nation that was struggling for independence and for a worthy life for all its members. In fact no other national revolutionary of the earlier generations identified himself so closely with the Indian masses on the move, as did Bhagat Singh and in the process he himself became the symbol of revolution, he said.

Sitaram said that the Indo US 123 nuclear deal was not only about nuclear energy commerce to favour the US multinationals, but is a vital component of the strategic partnership that India is entering with the US. In doing so, the government of India is not only abandoning India’s self reliant nuclear energy programme, it is all set to abandon the country’s independent foreign policy and to serve as a junior partner of the US. He appealed to the youth to join the battle of ideas for creating an India of non-exploitation prosperity and free from the viruses of communalism, casteism and defend our sovereignty.

Hannan Mollah, MP and former DYFI general secretary appreciated the DYFI’s role in defending the unity and integrity of the country. The youth should rise and carry forward the fight to defend the sovereignty and freedom of the country against the backdrop of imperialist globalisation whose political objective was to re-colonise the developing world, he said.

DYFI general seceatary Tapas Sinha called upon the youth to fight against the foreign as well as internal enemies of the country. He said that DYFI is the largest youth organisation of the country and is proud to carry forward the legacy of Bhagat Singh. The programme was presided over by DYFI president P. Sriramakrishnan. Cultural programmes were also presented by DYFI Punjab state committee. Cuban Ambassador to India Michael Angel Remeresh, and Professor Balwant Singh also addressed the gathering.