Bhagat Singh, Azad were terrorists, says UK historian
News Desk; A controversy has been kicked off by the comments of a United Kingdom-based researcher in his lecture here on Friday in which he described Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad as members of terrorist groups.
Professor of history at University of Warwick David Hardiman described the work of these national heroes during the movement for freedom from the British as terror activities. However, following strong objections from some members of the audience, Hardiman said, "The words were not used in derogatory terms."
Hardiman was speaking on 'Nonviolent Resistance in India during 1915-1947' at the Centre for Social Studies (CSS) as a part of the 24th I P Desai Memorial Lecture.
"Every nonviolent movement has a violent group aiming to achieve the same ends, but with violence. This group often indulges in terror acts like bombings, shootings and assassinations. The movement is benefited because the authorities feel it is better to deal with nonviolent people than the dangerous terrorists," he said.
Further Hardiman said, "Terrorist groups, who predate Mahatma Gandhi, were always there alongside the Gandhian movement. Some of these famous figures were Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad, who were involved in organizations like Hindustan Republican Association and Hindustan Socialist Republican Army." (Agencies)
Professor of history at University of Warwick David Hardiman described the work of these national heroes during the movement for freedom from the British as terror activities. However, following strong objections from some members of the audience, Hardiman said, "The words were not used in derogatory terms."
Hardiman was speaking on 'Nonviolent Resistance in India during 1915-1947' at the Centre for Social Studies (CSS) as a part of the 24th I P Desai Memorial Lecture.
"Every nonviolent movement has a violent group aiming to achieve the same ends, but with violence. This group often indulges in terror acts like bombings, shootings and assassinations. The movement is benefited because the authorities feel it is better to deal with nonviolent people than the dangerous terrorists," he said.
Further Hardiman said, "Terrorist groups, who predate Mahatma Gandhi, were always there alongside the Gandhian movement. Some of these famous figures were Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad, who were involved in organizations like Hindustan Republican Association and Hindustan Socialist Republican Army." (Agencies)
No comments: