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PM Modi Honors Lala Lajpat Rai's Sacrifice for India's Freedom

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid heartfelt tributes to freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai on his birth anniversary, highlighting his complete sacrifice for India's independence. Lajpat Rai was a founding member of the Hisar Congress and a key figure in the Arya Samaj reform movement. He led a historic non-violent protest against the Simon Commission in 1928, during which he was brutally lathi-charged by police. He never fully recovered from his injuries and died shortly after, becoming a martyr for the freedom cause.

Key Points: PM Modi Pays Tribute to Lala Lajpat Rai on Birth Anniversary

  • Tribute on birth anniversary
  • Life of sacrifice and inspiration
  • Founding Congress member
  • Led protest against Simon Commission
  • Died from police assault injuries
2 min read

"Offered everything to liberate Mother Bharati from chains of slavery": PM Modi pays tribute to Lala Lajpat Rai on his birth anniversary

PM Narendra Modi honors freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai, recalling his ultimate sacrifice to liberate India from colonial slavery.

"He offered everything he had to liberate Mother Bharati from the chains of slavery. - PM Narendra Modi"

New Delhi, January 28

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tribute to "Punjab Kesari" Lala Lajpat Rai on his birth anniversary.

In a post on X, PM Modi emphasised that Lala Lajpat Rai offered everything he had to liberate India from the chains of slavery, and his life of sacrifice will continue to remain a source of inspiration for every generation.

"To the immortal son of the motherland, Punjab Kesari Lala Lajpat Rai, heartfelt and respectful tributes on his birth anniversary. He offered everything he had to liberate Mother Bharati from the chains of slavery. His life of sacrifice will continue to remain a source of inspiration for every generation of the country," PM Modi posted.

Lajpat Rai was born on 28 January 1865, in a Punjabi Hindu family, as a son of Urdu and Persian Government School teacher Munshi Radha Krishan and his wife Gulab Devi, in Dhudike. Since childhood, he had a desire to serve his country.

In 1886, he moved to Hisar, began practising law, and became a founding member of the Bar Council of Hisar along with Babu Churamani. He also founded the Hisar district branch of the Indian National Congress and the reformist Arya Samaj. To shape the political policy of India to gain independence, he also practised journalism and was a regular contributor to several newspapers, including The Tribune.

In 1886, he helped Mahatma Hansraj establish the nationalistic Dayananda Anglo-Vedic School, Lahore. In 1914, he quit law practice to dedicate himself to the freedom of India.

He was elected President of the Indian National Congress in the Calcutta Special Session of 1920. In 1921, he founded the Servants of the People Society, a non-profit welfare organisation. He was of the view that Hindu society needed to fight its own battle with the caste system, the position of women, and untouchability. Lala Lajpat Rai believed that everyone should be allowed to read and learn from the Vedas, irrespective of one's caste or gender.

When the Simon Commission visited Lahore on 30 October 1928, Lajpat Rai led a non-violent march in protest against it. The superintendent of police, James A. Scott, ordered the police to lathi (baton) charge the protesters and personally assaulted Rai. He did not fully recover from his injuries and died on 17 November 1928.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Reading about his views on caste and women's position is so relevant even today. He was truly ahead of his time. We need to carry forward that reformist spirit.
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Vikram M
Respectful tributes, of course. But sometimes I feel these posts are more for political messaging than genuine remembrance. Our history is rich with such figures—let's ensure their ideals are taught properly in schools, not just used for social media posts.
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Priya S
He quit his successful law practice for the nation! That level of dedication is unimaginable today. We need to instill this sense of service in the youth. Jai Hind!
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Rohit P
Founding member of the Bar Council, contributed to The Tribune, established schools... what a multifaceted personality. We remember Bhagat Singh but often forget Lala ji, whose death inspired him. Salute to Punjab Kesari!
M
Michael C
As someone learning about Indian history, figures like Lajpat Rai show the depth and diversity of the independence movement. It wasn't just one or two leaders, but a tapestry of sacrifice from all regions.

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