Ramprasad Bismil

The ‘Kakori train conspiracy’ is a great landmark in the history of the revolutionary movement in Bharat. It was the brave Ramprasad Bismil who planned it and executed it faultlessly along with his fellow revolutionaries.

However, he was arrested by the British in connection with the conspiracy and put in police custody. The arrests had kept the British officers busy throughout the night and they had not slept. They all went away. Even the one constable who was on guard was fast asleep. Only one clerk was in the station busy writing. He was a fellow Bharatiya, who knew Ramprasad Bismil well. If Ramprasad had wished, he could have simply walked out, but that clerk would have got into great trouble. Ramprasad called him and told him that he would walk away if the clerk was prepared to face the consequences. However, he fell at Ramprasad’s feet and said that he would be arrested by the British if I did so and that his wife and children would have to starve and die. Ramprasad pitied him.

After a little while, Ramprasad found an excuse to go out. The constable on guard went with him. The other constables said, “Put him in chains”; but the constable declared, “I have faith in him, he will not run away.” The place outside the police station was dark and lonely. Ramprasad placed his palms on the compound wall and looked back. The guard was watching a wrestling match and was totally absorbed in it. One leap and Ramprasad could have scaled the wall; but his inner self said, “Would you cheat and send to prison that poor constable who trusted you and gave you so much freedom? Is it right? What will his wife and children think of you?” This thought filled his mind; he drew a long breath, called the guard and returned to the police station.

Ramaprasad Bismil was an exemplary man who lived like a hero and died like a hero. In him were blended those great qualities which Indian culture has regarded as ideal and has held in great respect. Whether it was a clerk or a constable, the man who had trusted him should not be betrayed. This was his principle. Even in prison, the prison guards had great faith in him because of his conduct.

‘Even if I have to face death a thousand times for the sake of my Motherland I shall not be sorry. O God, grant me a hundred births in Bharat; but grant me this too, that each time I may give up my life in the service of the Motherland.’

This prayer should echo in each and every soul in free India.