Bhagat Singh

Bhagat Singh (1907–1931) was an Indian revolutionary and believed by many to be one of the earlist Marxists in India.

Advocate of Marxism and Atheism

Bhagat Singh's political thought evolved gradually from Gandhian nationalism to revolutionary Marxism. By the end of 1928, he and his comrades renamed their organization as Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. He had read the teachings of Marx, Engels and Lenin and believed that with such a large and diverse population India could only survive properly under a Socialist regime. He believed that the rich would get richer and the poor would get poorer. This and his aggressive stance of violence put him at odds with Gandhi and members of the Congress. He became the first socialist leader in India to make any gain. Even today, Socialist leaders sometimes refer back to him as the founder of Indian Socialism.

Related Topics:
Gandhi - Nationalism - Marxism - Hindustan Socialist Republican Association - Marx - Engels - Lenin

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While in jail during 1930-31 awaiting the gallows, he wrote a pamphlet entitled Why I am an Atheist in which he discusses and advocates the philosophy of Atheism. This pamphlet was a result of some criticism by fellow revolutionaries on his failure to acknowledge religion and God while in a condemned cell. He supported his own beliefs and claimed that he used to be a firm believer in The Almighty, but could not bring himself to believe the myths and beliefs that others carried within their hearts and minds at all times.

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