Philosophy of Bhagat Singh relevant today, says historian

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 27

Renowned historian Dr Syed Irfan Habib on Friday said the philosophy of the legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh was most relevant in the present circumstances.

He said people knew Bhagat Singh just as a revolutionary, but his ideology was beyond the times he lived in and his stir on communalism, caste divisions and rich-poor gap is something we are still facing. He stated this while addressing a seminar, organised by the PG Department of History, Khalsa College, on ‘Life and Ideology of Bhagat Singh’.

At present, Professor and Chairperson, Abul Kalam Azad Chair, National University of Educational Planning and Administration, New Delhi, he highlighted the number of unexplored aspects relating to Bhagat Singh’s life. “Bhagat Singh was brought up in an inspiring family atmosphere as his father, uncle and mother were into the national movement for freedom.

He was not just a revolutionary freedom fighter but also a great thinker who expressed his views on almost every issue. Bhagat Singh laid stress on composite nationalism, socialism, secular press and removal of caste-based discrimination from society and politics. Dr Habib, who was earlier welcomed on the campus by Khalsa College Governing Council honourary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina and Principal Dr Mehal Singh, said they were still fighting evils against which Bhagat fought.  In his welcome address, Dr Mehal Singh called Dr Habib a great intellectual of the country. RMC Chhina said Bhagat Singh would always be an inspiring figure for the youth of the country. 

Kulwinder Singh Gill from Majha House, Prof Sukhmeen Bedi, Dean, Academic Affairs, and Registrar Prof Devender Singh, teachers and students were present.