Why I am an Atheist and Other Writings

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

Bhagat Singh wrote this article in reply to a remark given by Baba Randhir Singh, a freedom fighter, who was in Lahore Central Jail during 1930-31. Randhir Singh was a God-fearing religious man. It pained him to learn that Bhagat Singh was a non-believer. He somehow managed to see Bhagat Singh in the condemned cell and tried to convince him about the existence of God, but failed. Baba lost his temper and said tauntingly. "You are giddy with fame and have developed an ego which is standing like a black curtain between you and the God." It was in reply to this that Bhagat Singh wrote this important and thought- provoking article.

On October 7, 1930, Bhagat Singh and two others Shivram RajguruandSukh Dev-were sentenced to be hanged by a Special Tribunal for the murder, in Lahore on December 17, 1928, of an Assistant Superintendent of Police, John Poyantz Saunders, as part of a conspiracy to wage war against the government of India under British rule. It was a tragic case of mistaken identity. They hadintended to kill the Superintendent of Police, J.A. Scott, who, they believed, had struck the blows on Lala Lajpat Rai during a procession in Lahore on October 30, 1928.

The entire country was exercised over the Simon Commission which was touring India as part of its remit to recommend the next instalment of constitutional reforms. The British Government did not appoint on the Commission a single Indian member which was a cause of great concern for the Indian public.