Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil’s Jayanti 2021

11 June is observed as Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil’s Jayanti. He was born on 11th June 1897 into a brahmin family at Shahjahanpur in North-Western Provinces, British India.He learned Hindi from his father at home and was sent to learn Urdu from a moulvi. He was admitted to an English-language school, despite his father's disapproval, and also joined the Arya Samaj in Shahjahanpur. Bismil showed a talent for writing patriotic poetry.

He was an Indian revolutionary who participated in Mainpuri conspiracy of 1918, and the Kakori conspiracy of 1925, and fought against British imperialism. Bismil was hanged on 19 December 1927 by the British for his revolutionary activities. As well as being a freedom fighter, he was a patriotic poet and wrote in Hindi and Urdu using the pen names Ram, Agyat and Bismil. But, he became popular with the last name "Bismil" only. He was associated with Arya Samaj where he got inspiration from Satyarth Prakash, a book written by Swami Dayanand Saraswati. He also had a confidential connection with Lala Har Dayal through his guru Swami Somdev, a preacher of Arya Samaj. Bismil was one of the founding members of the revolutionary organization Hindustan Republican Association. Bhagat Singh praised him[1] as a great poet-writer of Urdu and Hindi, who had also translated the books Catherine from English and Bolshevikon Ki Kartoot from Bengali.

In February 1920, when all the prisoners in the Mainpuri conspiracy case were freed, Bismil returned home to Shahjahanpur, where he agreed with the official authorities that he would not participate in revolutionary activities. This statement of Ram Prasad was also recorded in vernacular before the court. He also formed Hindustan Republican Association. He wrote his Biography in his last days in Gorakhpur Jail. He kept writing it till three days before hanging on the gallows.

He was a great Indian freedom fighter. In 2021, we are celebrating his 124th birth Anniversary. 

Happy Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil Jayanti!