As India commemorates the 119th birth anniversary of Chandra Shekhar Azad, one of the fiercest revolutionaries of the country’s independence movement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 23 led the nation in paying glowing tributes to the martyr who embraced death rather than fall into the hands of the British Raj.
In a powerful post on X, the Prime Minister said:
“Tributes to Chandra Shekhar Azad on his birth anniversary. He epitomised unparalleled valour and grit. His role in India’s quest for freedom is deeply valued and motivates our youth to stand up for what is just, with courage and conviction.”
Tributes to Chandra Shekhar Azad on his birth anniversary. He epitomised unparalleled valour and grit. His role in India’s quest for freedom is deeply valued and motivates our youth to stand up for what is just, with courage and conviction.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2025
These words resonate deeply with the memory of a man who once famously declared, “Dushman ki goliyon ka hum samna karenge, Azad hi rahenge” We shall face the enemy’s bullets, but will remain free. And true to his word, Chandra Shekhar Azad died a martyr in 1931 in Alfred Park, Allahabad, with a pistol in his hand and his head held high choosing death over capture.
Born on July 23 1906 in the small village of Bhabhra (now Azad Nagar) in Madhya Pradesh, Azad grew into a defiant symbol of resistance from a young age. At just 15, he joined Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement, and when arrested by the British, he boldly proclaimed his name as “Azad,” his father’s name as “Swatantrata” (Freedom), and his residence as “Jail.” The British, enraged by his insolence, gave him a severe beating, but could not crush his spirit.
Azad soon moved beyond the Gandhian methods of nonviolence, gravitating toward a more radical and freedom fighter path. Disillusioned with British deceit and the suppression of peaceful protests, he joined hands with other young revolutionaries such as Bhagat Singh, Ram Prasad Bismil, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, to form the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) an organisation committed to armed struggle for India’s liberation.
While Bhagat Singh became the face of freedom fighter youth, it was Azad who was the tactical brain behind many operations of the HSRA. He masterminded the famous Kakori Train Robbery (1925) to fund freedom fighter activities and later avenged the death of Lala Lajpat Rai by orchestrating the assassination of British officer J.P. Saunders in 1928.
Azad was known for his discipline, simplicity, and military-style training. He was not just a freedom fighter he was a commander, mentor, and ideological guide for an entire generation of revolutionaries who believed that the time had come to break the shackles of colonial oppression through action, not just appeal.
On February 27, 1931, after years of eluding British intelligence, Azad was surrounded by colonial police at Alfred Park in Allahabad (now Chandrashekhar Azad Park). Refusing to surrender, he engaged in a fierce gun battle, single-handedly holding off the enemy with his legendary Colt pistol. When his ammunition ran out, Azad chose to shoot himself in the head rather than be taken alive.
True to the name he adopted in his youth, he died “Azad” free.
His martyrdom sent shockwaves across the nation, galvanizing the freedom movement with fresh urgency. His legacy of absolute courage, discipline, and patriotism became a rallying cry for Indians who believed in liberty with dignity.
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