Lahiri Diwas: Tribute Celebration in Gonda Jail

Lahiri Diwas in Gonda jail is an annual commemoration to honour the legacy and sacrifice of Rajendranath Lahiri, a fearless revolutionary who played a significant role in India’s independence movement. The event marks the day of his execution on December 17, 1927, when Rajendranath Lahiri faced the gallows with unwavering courage and determination. Despite his impending fate, Lahiri exhibited remarkable resilience and a profound commitment to the cause of a liberated India.

Each year, in a serene corner of Uttar Pradesh, Lahiri Diwas quietly unfolds — a commemoration honouring a forgotten Bengali hero. His legacy, shrouded in history’s veil, remains potent, particularly his haunting final words.

Rajendranath Lahiri wasn’t merely a name but a valiant revolutionary who orchestrated the audacious Kakori train robbery. Yet, his narrative transcends that daring heist; it embodies a larger aspiration — a vision for an emancipated India.

Born in 1901 in Bengal (now in Bangladesh), Lahiri migrated to Varanasi in 1909. Enveloped in the fervour of revolution, he became a pivotal figure in the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association even while pursuing his studies.

A true iconoclast, Lahiri defied societal norms, discarding the Brahminical sacred thread and fearlessly consuming pork and beef. He recognized the shackles of societal prejudices and fearlessly shattered these barriers—a rebel at his core.

Mastering bomb-making in Calcutta, Lahiri played a significant role in the Dakshineshwar bomb case, leading to his imprisonment. He actively engaged in revolutionary activities, partaking in dacoities at Bamrauli, Shivpuri, and Dwarikapuri.

On August 9, 1925, Lahiri pulled the chain as the train carrying government money was passing Kakori near Lucknow. The train stopped, the money was looted, but an Indian passenger got killed by mistake.

His audacious act of halting the Kakori train, pulling the chain in a second-class compartment, marked him as the linchpin of the robbery. Pronounced guilty on April 6, 1927, by Judge Hamilton, he received a death sentence on December 19, 1927. Ram Prasad Bismil, Roshan Singh and Ashfaqullah Khan were also sentenced to death.

His destiny brought him to the Gonda district jail, where he faced the gallows on this very day in 1927. Yet, in the face of impending death, Lahiri displayed an unyielding spirit.

From his cell, he penned a letter to his father, conveying his imminent hanging within a week. Gratefully acknowledging well-wishers, he implored them to accept his salutations. Embracing death as a mere transition, he concluded, “I can’t write more from jail.”

Days before his execution, Lahiri confided his last desire to his brother: “I will chant ‘Vande Mataram.’ Let its echoes reach me beyond these jail walls; only then shall I find solace in death.”

On the eve of December 16, the Jailor notified him of the sudden advancement of his execution to December 17, eradicating any chance of escape. However, Lahiri remained unperturbed.

On the morning of his hanging, the Jailor witnessed an unexpected sight: Lahiri engaged in his customary physical training.

“Why?” the bewildered Jailor inquired.

Lahiri’s response mirrored his unwavering dedication: “I am not dying today; I shall be reborn in a liberated India to fulfil the unfinished task.”

Those resolute words, echoing with determination, endure in the records of Gonda District Prison—a testament to his unwavering resolve.

Jogesh Chatterji, in his book ‘In Search of Freedom,’ concluded: “He embraced death with a silent dignity, a radiant smile even on the lips of the departed.”

“Lahiri did not seek any clemency.”

Today, Lahiri Diwas in Gonda district and jail is more than a remembrance; it’s a celebration of his sacrifice and a tribute to his indomitable spirit. Cultural festivities adorn the canvas of homage, echoing the essence of a man devoted to a genuinely emancipated India.

In the Gonda district jail, authorities commemorate Lahiri Diwas annually with rituals, prayers, and the National Anthem, followed by a recital of his immortal lines: “I am not going to die, but I am going to be born to free India.”

Participants in this commemoration reiterate Lahiri’s powerful words, emphasizing his belief that his death would mark a rebirth in a free India. The observance serves as a reminder of his courage, selflessness, and unyielding commitment to the country’s freedom struggle.

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