Page 50 - NIS English 16-31,March 2023

Nation Amrit Mahotsav

HEMU KALANI CHARUCHANDRA

WENT TO BOSE: HE PREFERRED

GALLOWS AT THE FREEDOM TO

AGE OF 19 LIFE

Born: March 23, 1923; Died: January 21, 1943 Born: February 26, 1890; died March 19, 1909

emu Kalani, the great revolutionary, was also one rantiveer Charuchandra Bose, a
of the youngest martyrs who gave their lives for revolutionary who contributed to India's
Hthe country during India's freedom struggle. He Kindependence movement, was born on
sacrificed his life for the motherland at the age of 19. He February 26, 1890, in Khulna, which is now
was born in Sakkhar, Sindh (now Pakistan), on March 23, part of Bangladesh. His father's name was
1923. Pesumal Kalani was his father's name, and Jethi Keshavchandra Bose. His family had a patriotic
Bai was his mother's. Hemu grew up hearing patriotic atmosphere, which had a big influence on
speeches and stories about great revolutionaries. He was Charuchandra Bose. He has always been brave
bold and courageous since childhood, and he became and fearless. He was said to be a Divyang and to
involved in revolutionary activities while attending school. have no fingers in his hand. That's why he used
On his birthday when he was eight years old, Bhagat Singh to practise shooting a pistol by tying one in his
was hanged. This incident had a significant impact on right hand and pressing the trigger with his left
Hemu's life. Hemu later became known as "Bhagat Singh hand's finger. At the same time, his height was
of Sindh." very normal, but he had no less patriotism, and
He used to take out prabhat pheris in the streets with his mind was filled with patriotism feelings.
young companions, sing freedom songs, and distribute He valued the country's freedom more than his
banned anti-British literature. When Mahatma Gandhi own life. He also worked for various presses and
launched the Quit India Movement in 1942, this 19-year- newspapers in Kolkata and Howrah before joining
old teenager jumped in with the slogan "British Quit India." the revolutionary Yugantar Sangathan. He was
He and his associates advocated for a boycott of foreign also connected to Anushilan Samiti. Meanwhile,
goods in favour of locally produced goods. During this a government lawyer named Ashu Biswas began
movement, Hemu Kalani came to know that a British train gnawing at the eyes of Charuchandra Bose,
loaded with weapons would pass through Rohini station who was always looking for ways to punish the
in Sindh to crush the ongoing Balochistan agitation. So patriotic revolutionaries. In such a situation, he
he devised a plan to derail the train and loot the weapons. decided to teach that lawyer a lesson and began
During this attempt, he was arrested and tortured in planning for it. Charuchandra Bose began to
jail. Later, he was sentenced to death and hanged on keep an eye on that lawyer.
January 21, 1943. When Hemu Kalani was being hanged, In February 1909, he saw an opportunity and
it is said that he raised the noose with his own hands, as shot and killed public prosecutor Ashu Biswas
if wearing a flower garland, while shouting slogans like in the Alipore bomb case. He was arrested and
"Inquilab-Zindabad" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai." On August prosecuted as a result of this incident. During the
21, 2003, after independence, then-Prime Minister Atal court hearing, Charuchandra stated that Ashu
Bihari Vajpayee unveiled a statue of Hemu Kalani in the Vishwas was a traitor and that he had decided to
Parliament premises. In his honour, the government kill him. He is believed to have made no attempt
of India has also issued a postage stamp. In terms of to escape during the trial and refused to engage
courage, fearlessness, and patriotism, his martyrdom is a lawyer for his defence. The court sentenced
no less than any other martyr's. Hemu Kalani's heroic act him to death. He was hanged on March 19, 1909,
and willingness to follow in the footsteps of the martyrs in the Alipore Central Jail. It is said that at the
is truly unique. time of his execution, he himself put the noose.

48 New India Samachar March 16-31, 2023