Shaheed Udham Singh: A Tribute

                Udham Singh also known as Ram Mohammad Sigh Azad is a symbol of the unification of the three major religions of India: Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism. Singh was a Marxist and militant nationalist. He is considered one of the best known revolutionaries of Indian freedom struggle. He had been referred as “Shaheed-i-Azam” by Pt. Nehru in 1962 in the daily Partap: “I salute Shaheed-i-Azam Udham Singh with reverence who kissed the noose so that we may live.”

Udham Singh alias Sher Singh was born on 26^th December 1899 in Sunam in the district of Punjab in a peasant family headed by Sardar Tehal Singh who belonged to Jummu clan of Kamboj lineage. Tehal Singh was a watchman on the railways crossings. Sher Singh’s mother Narayan Kaur died in 1901 and his father in 1907. He along with his elder brother Mukta Singh was admitted to Central Khalsa Orphange Putlighar, Amritsar. Both brothers were administered the Sikh initiatory rites at the orphanage and received new names. Sher Singh became Udham Singh and Mukta Singh became Sadhu Singh. Sadhu Singh died in 1917 which was also a great shock to young Udham Singh. While at orphanage, Udham Singh was trained in various arts and crafts. He passed his matriculation examination in 1918 and left the orphanage in 1919.

The brutality of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre left an indelible impression on the mind of Udham Singh. He mainly held Michael O’Dwyer responsible for the tragedy and this incident proved a turning point in his life. He turned to revolutionary politics and dedicated his whole life to the cause of people.

He moved from one country to another to achieve his secret objective that is to avenge Jalianwala Bagh Massacre, aiming ultimately to reach his prey in Landon. At various stages in his life, Singh went by various names: Sher Singh, Udham Singh, Udhan Singh, Udey Singh, Frank Brazil, and Ram Mohammad Singh Azad. In 1924, he reached America and there he actively involved with freedom fighters of the ‘Ghadar Party’. He spent three years in revolutionary politics and organized oversea Indians for the freedom struggle. He returned India in July 1927 on the orders from Bhagat Singh. He was accompanied by 25 associates from the U.S. and brought a consignment of revolvers and ammunition. 

On August 30, 1927 he was arrested at Amritsar for the possession of unlicensed arms and copies of prohibited paper of Ghadar Party called Gunj-i- Ghadar. He was prosecuted by the colonial masters and sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment. He stayed in jail for four years and missed the peak of Indian revolutionary period and the actions of menlike Bhagat Singh and Chander Shekhar Azad.

Udham Singh was released from jail on Oct. 23, 1931. He returned to his native place Sunam but constantly harassment from police on account of his revolutionary activities led him back to Amritsar and then finally to England in 1934. In Landon he purchased a six-chamber revolver and always remembered his real objective that is to take revenge the massacre. Despite several opportunities to strike Michael O’Dwyer, he awaited perhaps he wanted to kill him when this could make more impact and to internationalize the event.

At last the opportunity came on March 13, 1940, almost twenty one years the massacre. A joint meeting of the East India Association and the Royal Central Asian Society was scheduled at Caxton Hall, Landon and among the speakers was O’Dwyer. Singh concealed a revolver in a book specially cut for the purpose and managed to enter in the hall. At the end of the meeting when O’Dwyer moved towards the platform to talk to Lord Zetland, Singh fired and O’Dwyer died immediately, Zetland was also struck because he was secretary for state in 1919 in India. Udham did not intend to escape. He was arrested and prosecuted.

During his prosecution facing the judge he exclaimed: “I say down with British Imperialism. You say India does not have peace. We have only slavery. Generations of so called civilization has brought us everything filthy and degenerating known to the human race. … All your British Imperialism will be smashed. … I am talking about the British government. I have nothing against the British people at all. I have great sympathy with the workers of England. I am against the imperialist government.”

Magistrate Atkinson sentenced him to death. On July 31, 1940, he was hanged till death at Pentonvile Prison. As with other executed prisoners, he was buried later that afternoon within the prison ground.  In July 1974, Udham Singh’s remains were exhumed and repatriated to India at the request of his cousin. He was later cremated at his birth place Sunam.

Udham Singh represented the best traditions of the people of Indian Subcontinent: courage and the spirit of self sacrifice in the fight against oppression, and unity in struggle irrespective of religious, communal or ethnic background. Today, when the forces of exploitation and fascism are becoming dominant in our society, the importance of heroes like Udham Singh has increased many folds.