Rajguru: Revolutionary Hero

 Rajguru, also known as Shivaram Hari Rajguru, was a prominent Indian revolutionary and freedom fighter who played a significant role in India's struggle for independence from British colonial rule. He is particularly remembered for his participation in the famous Kakori train robbery and his involvement in the assassination of British police officer J.P. Saunders. In this essay, we will explore the life and legacy of Rajguru in detail.

Early Life and Education:

Rajguru was born on August 24, 1908, in Khed, a small village in present-day Maharashtra. His father, Harinarayan Dixit, was a school teacher, and his mother, Parvati Devi, was a homemaker. Rajguru was the second of six children in the family.

Rajguru received his early education in his village school and later went to Pune for further studies. He was a bright student and excelled in his studies, especially in Sanskrit and mathematics. However, his interest in politics and social reform soon overshadowed his academic pursuits.

In his late teens, Rajguru became involved in the Indian freedom struggle and joined the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), a revolutionary organization that aimed to overthrow British colonial rule in India. He was greatly influenced by the ideas of Bhagat Singh, another prominent revolutionary, and soon became his close friend and comrade.

Revolutionary Activities:

Rajguru's first major revolutionary act was the Kakori train robbery, which took place on August 9, 1925. Rajguru, along with Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and others, stopped a train carrying British government treasury and looted it. The aim of the robbery was to fund the revolutionary activities of the HSRA and to raise awareness about the cause of Indian independence.

The Kakori train robbery was a daring and audacious act that shook the British authorities and inspired a new wave of revolutionary fervor among the Indian masses. However, it also led to the arrest and imprisonment of many HSRA members, including Rajguru and Bhagat Singh.

While in jail, Rajguru continued to participate in revolutionary activities and inspired his fellow inmates with his courage and conviction. He also became involved in hunger strikes and other forms of protest against the harsh treatment of political prisoners in British jails.

Assassination of J.P. Saunders:

One of the most significant events in Rajguru's life was his involvement in the assassination of British police officer J.P. Saunders. Saunders was responsible for the brutal lathi charge on Lala Lajpat Rai, a prominent freedom fighter, during a protest march in Lahore in 1928. The attack on Lajpat Rai led to his death a few weeks later, and the Indian freedom movement was plunged into mourning and anger.

Rajguru, along with Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev Thapar, decided to avenge Lajpat Rai's death by assassinating Saunders. On December 17, 1928, Rajguru and his comrades ambushed Saunders while he was on his way to work and shot him dead. The assassination was a bold and risky act that demonstrated the HSRA's determination to take the fight for Indian independence to the next level.

Arrest, Trial, and Execution:

After the assassination of Saunders, Rajguru, Bhagat Singh, and Sukhdev Thapar went into hiding. However, they were eventually caught by the British authorities and charged with murder and conspiracy. The trial of the three revolutionaries was a highly publicized event that attracted widespread attention and support from the Indian public.

During the trial, Rajguru and his comrades refused to plead for mercy or seek leniency from the British