The
Brave Freedom Fighter
The freedom fighter was brought there in chains. They were like ornaments on him. This was
the last time that he could see his mother, the last time he could address her as
'Mother'. At this thought grief welled up in him. He stood speechless and tears rolled
down his cheeks.
In a firm voice the mother said, 'What is this, my son? I had thought of my son as a great
hero. I was thinking that the British Government would shiver at the very mention of his
name. I never thought that my son would be afraid of death. If you can die only in this
way, weeping, why did you take up such activities?"
The officials were astounded at the firm- ness of the mother. The freedom fighter replied,
"Mother dear, these are not tears of fear - the fear of death. These are tears of joy
- joy at beholding so brave as mother!"
The brave son of that brave mother was Ramaprasad Bismil. He was the leader of the famous
Kakori Rail Dacoity case.
The last meeting ended.
Next morning Ramaprasad got up earlier than usual, bathed and said his morning
prayers. He wrote his last letter to his mother. Then he sat down with a calm mind
awaiting his death.
The officials came and removed his chains. They took him from the prison cell-towards his
death.
He was completely untroubled and walked like a hero. The officials were amazed. As he
moved to the gallows he joyfully chanted Vande Matharam' and 'Bharath Matha ki Jai'. At
the top of his voice he shouted down with the British Empire." Then he calmly recited
prayers like 'Vishwani deva savithaha dunithani.... And embraced death.
As he was being executed, there was a strong guard around the prison. When he was dead the
officials brought out the dead body. Not only his parents but also hundreds of his
countrymen were waiting in tears.The people of Gorakhpur deco rated the body of the brave
son of Bharath as befitted a hero and carried it in a procession. Flowers were showered on
the body, and the last rites were performed.
Ramaprasad Bismil joined the select band of martyrs who dreamt of a free India and
made the supreme sacrifice, so that the dream might come true. |
