Roadmap for Answer Writing

Introduction

• Briefly introduce Bhagat Singh and Mahatma Gandhi as two major leaders in the Indian independence movement.
• State that while they shared the common goal of achieving India’s freedom from British rule, their ideologies differed significantly on key aspects such as non-violence, political activism, and visions for post-independence India.

1. Non-Violence

• Gandhi’s Approach:
  • Gandhi’s philosophy of Satyagraha was rooted in strict non-violence as the primary method of resistance. He believed in peaceful protests, fasting, and non-cooperation with the British government.
  • Relevant Fact: Gandhi led several non-violent movements such as the Salt March (1930) and Quit India Movement (1942) that emphasized the power of peaceful resistance.
• Bhagat Singh’s Approach:
  • Bhagat Singh initially believed in non-violence but later argued that violence could be justified when it was used for a just cause, such as fighting against British oppression.
  • Relevant Fact: Bhagat Singh is remembered for his involvement in the bombing of the Central Legislative Assembly in 1929 to protest British rule, believing that revolutionary violence would inspire the masses.
• Comparison:
  • Both believed in non-violence as an ideal, but Gandhi firmly rejected violence, whereas Bhagat Singh considered it a necessary tool for political action in some situations.

2. Political Activism

• Gandhi’s Activism:
  • Gandhi’s activism focused on mass mobilization and non-violent means to bring about change. He believed in engaging the masses through civil disobedience, non-cooperation, and peaceful protests.
  • Relevant Fact: The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922) and the Salt March were key examples of Gandhi’s strategy of mass political activism.
• Bhagat Singh’s Activism:
  • Bhagat Singh favored direct and revolutionary actions against the British. He believed in organizing revolutionary groups and acts of defiance against colonial rule.
  • Relevant Fact: Bhagat Singh was involved in the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), planning and executing revolutionary actions, including the assembly bombing and the killing of J.P. Saunders in 1928.
• Comparison:
  • Gandhi’s activism was centered on peaceful means and mass participation, while Bhagat Singh’s approach was more militant, focusing on targeted attacks and inspiring armed revolution.

3. Visions for a Free India

• Gandhi’s Vision:
  • Gandhi envisioned a free India as a decentralized, self-sufficient, and morally guided nation. His vision was rooted in rural self-reliance, non-violence, and harmony among all communities.
  • Relevant Fact: Gandhi’s idea of Gram Swaraj (village self-rule) and his emphasis on swadeshi (self-reliance) highlighted his focus on a decentralized, egalitarian India.
• Bhagat Singh’s Vision:
  • Bhagat Singh’s vision focused on political freedom, the overthrow of British colonial rule, and the establishment of a secular, socialist, and democratic India. He was more focused on the immediate achievement of independence and the creation of a society based on justice and equality.
  • Relevant Fact: Bhagat Singh’s writings and speeches, including his famous essay Why I Am An Atheist, reflected his vision for a secular India, free from British oppression and social inequalities.
• Comparison:
  • Gandhi’s vision was more about moral regeneration and social reforms, whereas Bhagat Singh’s vision was focused on political liberation and social revolution through direct action.

Conclusion

• Summarize the differences in their ideologies, noting how both leaders contributed significantly to India’s independence struggle, albeit through contrasting methods.
• Conclude that despite their ideological differences, both Gandhi and Bhagat Singh played crucial roles in the fight for freedom, and their legacies continue to influence India today.

Relevant Facts:

1. Gandhi’s Non-Violence:
   • Salt March (1930), Quit India Movement (1942)
   • Advocacy for Satyagraha (truth force)
2. Bhagat Singh’s Revolutionary Actions:
   • Bombing of the Central Legislative Assembly (1929)
   • Killing of J.P. Saunders (1928)
3. Gandhi’s Vision:
   • Gram Swaraj (village self-rule), Swadeshi (self-reliance)
4. Bhagat Singh’s Vision:
   • Advocate for socialism and secularism
   • Emphasis on revolutionary actions over peaceful resistance