Freedom fighters, people observe Kakori martyrdom day

Lucknow, Dec 19 (UNI) Old and young alike; people from all walks of life today lit candles and 'diyas' at Kakori memorial here to mark the martyrdom of four of the Kakori rail dacoity freedom fighters between December 18 and 20, 1927.

Several freedom fighters and youth lined up at the Kakori memorial to light candles and 'diyas' to mark the occasion.

The otherwise neglected memorial wore a festive look this evening.

It was the evening of August 9, 1925, number eight down train was passing near Kakori. Ramaprasad Bismil and his nine revolutionary friends stopped it, and looted the money belonging to the government, deposited in the Guard's carriage. Excepting that one passenger's death by an accidental shot, there was no bloodshed.

This extremely well planned dacoity jolted the government. After a month of detailed preliminary inquiries and elaborate preparations, the government cast its net wide for the revolutionaries. Arrest warrants were issued not only against the ten participants but also against other leaders of the Hindustan Republican Association. With the lone exception of Chandrashekhar Azad, all participants were caught.

The case went on for over a year and a half, Ramaprasad, Ashfaqullah, Roshan Singh and Rajendra Lahiri were sentenced to death.

A strong campaign was organised throughout India to save the lives of these revolutionary heroes. All the leaders of public life appealed to the British Government to show mercy to the condemned men. But the Government was unyielding.

On December 18, 1927, Rajendra Lahiri was hanged. Ramaprasad and Ashfaqullah were executed on the 19 and Thakur Roshan Singh on 20th.

UNI NAB MB YA RS1936