Salute to Martyrdom
Whenever I read history of my family, I feel immense pride. Because I belong to a family that not only fought for India’s independence but also sacrificed their lives for the unity and integrity of the nation even after independence. September 9, 1981, marks the martyrdom day of my great-grandfather, Amar Shaheed Lala Jagat Narayan Ji. My father, Shri Ashwini Kumar, often acquainted me with the complete story of our family’s legacy. My grandfather, Shri Ramesh Chandra Ji, too, chose the path of martyrdom just like his father, Lala Ji. After going through the pages of history, I have tried to pen down whatever I could understand of their personality and their deeds.
Lala Ji was a martyr who gave up his life for religion and truth. He was a true Arya Samaji, a follower of the Vedas and Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati. He firmly believed in non-violence and never touched a weapon in his life. For him, the pen was more powerful than the sword. He welcomed criticism, encouraged healthy debates and discussions, and always used reasoning and logic in a civil manner to highlight the evils prevalent in society.
During the freedom struggle, and even after independence, first under the British rule and later by his own people, Lala Ji was harassed and tortured repeatedly. Yet, he never abandoned his political and social responsibilities. Even after swallowing poison, he carried a smile that looked like nectar on his face. The very last sip of his life was of martyrdom.
When separatist fires began to spread in Punjab due to the dark deeds of so-called “friends” across the border, intelligence agencies and the CBI warned him time and again: “Lala Ji, keep yourself safe, avoid unnecessary exposure, and think about your security. Destructive forces do not recognize the sanctity of truth or falsehood.” But Lala Ji replied: “By isolating oneself, hiding, or locking up inside a room, nothing can be achieved. If falsehood is to be fought, it must be done while living within society and the state.” Eventually, the anti-national forces targeted him and assassinated him with bullets.
After the death of Lala Lajpat Rai Ji, Lala Jagat Narayan Ji set up a memorial fund in his name and began publishing a newspaper, which he named “Punjab Kesari.” He was imprisoned several times for writing editorials against the British, enduring torture and punishment. Yet, every time he came out of jail, he would write fiery articles, only to be arrested again. Inside jail, he even met Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. Though he was a follower of Mahatma Gandhi, he had immense affection and respect for revolutionaries, for the common goal was only one—India’s freedom.
Before independence, he spent 16 years in jail for the country’s freedom, but even after independence, those in power inflicted immense suffering on him. A question keeps surfacing in my mind again and again—why did the terrorists kill such a man, who despite his great influence, was old and in the twilight of his life? His murder was a heinous crime. He had openly opposed terrorism, but terrorists made him their target, thereby making him immortal forever. My great-grandfather also served as a minister in Punjab and was a Member of Parliament. He was so candid and outspoken that he even opposed the policies of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
When Mrs. Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency in the country, for Lala Ji it was nothing less than a fatal assault on democracy. He left Congress and strongly opposed Emergency, for which he was arrested. But what fear could imprisonment hold for someone who had already endured 16 years in British prisons? His contribution to Jayaprakash Narayan’s Total Revolution after Emergency cannot be forgotten. I often wonder—where have such principled and large-hearted leaders disappeared from today’s politics? He was the embodiment of integrity and a magnanimous spirit. After his demise, my grandfather Shri Ramesh Chandra Ji carried forward the pen, and after him, my father Shri Ashwini Kumar Ji took it up. Today, that same pen is in my hands.
My mother, Smt. Kiran Chopra, along with my younger brothers Akash and Arjun Chopra, are also supporting me. Through the Senior Citizens Kesari Club, my mother is serving the elderly, thus walking on the path shown by Lala Ji. We, as a family, are determined to fulfill the dreams of our ancestors. Undoubtedly, the blessings of our forefathers remain with Punjab Kesari to this day. We all pay our heartfelt tribute to the great soul, Lala Ji, and pray to God to grant us the strength and energy to continue walking on the path of truth. Salute to the soldier of the pen.
As long as he lived, he wrote the news.
He departed, with the pen still in his hands.