Do you know India’s freedom fighter Batukeshwar Dutt was not recognized in Independent India

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Batukeshwar Dutt was an Indian freedom fighter who was a member of India’s revolutionary organization named Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. He participated in several freedom movements and also learned bomb-making, which was required for India’s fight for freedom. Dutt was a close associate of popular freedom fighter including Chandra Shekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh .

1929 Assembly Bomb Throwing

Hindustan Socialist Republican Association decided to throw bomb in Central Legislative Assembly to show their opposition against Defence of India Act 1915, Trade Disputes and Public Safety Bill. First, it was decided that Dutt and Sukhdev Thapar would plant the bomb but later on Dutt and Bhagat Singh threw two bombs on 8 April 1929. The bomb filled the assembly hall with smoke and both of them shouted “Inquilab Zindabad.” The bomb were thrown not with the intention of killing, only to show the power of Indian unity. Both of them showered leaflets which claimed that the act was against the death of Lala Lajpat Rai as well as Public Safety Bill and the Trade Disputes.

After Independence

Dutt was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment in the Central Assembly Bomb Case and was deported to the Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar Islands at the time known as Sazai-e-kalapani. He was again jailed for four years for his participation in the Quit India Movement after his release. But if you are thinking that he had enjoyed recognition in free India and was placed on a prestigious political position, then you are wrong. No support was given to him by the Government of India, in fact he spent his remaining life in poverty. He started a transport business for livelihood. He contacted tuberculosis while he was in jail and after a long fight with the disease on 20 July 1965 at AIIMS hospital in Delhi.

After Death

He was one of the writers of the film “Shaheed” which was released in 1965. A colony in a prime location opposite Safdurjung Airport was named after him. His biography was mentioned in a book titled “Batukeshwar Dutt: Bhagat Singh ke Sahyogi” written by Anil Verma.

Here is a clip of an interview with his wife, Anjali Dutt.