Jalandhari legend, Bhagat Singh Bilga, the last surviving member of the pre-independence Ghadar (revolution) Party and a well-known freedom fighter, has passed away in Birmingham, according to information reaching the Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Memorial Committee at Jalandhar in Punjab. He was 102 years old.

 

 The man former prime minister I K Gujral calls "a legend" was not a scholar or a man of many words. 102 years old Bhagat Singh Bilga was a revolutionary, the last survivor of the Gadar (revolution) Movement, a struggle launched by expatriate Punjabis in the US and Canada to overthrow the British in India.

Popularly known as 'Baba Bilga' and sharing his first name with legendary revolutionary Bhagat Singh, the freedom fighter passed away in a private hospital Thursday after battling prostate cancer.

His family members were with him when he breathed his last. He had gone to Britain some time back. He is survived by two sons, society members said.

Members of the Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Committee at Jalandhar city, 150 km from here, mourned the passing away of the Ghadar Party leader and lauded his efforts in India's freedom struggle and social service.

Born in 1907, the same year when Bhagat Singh was born, Bilga was contemporary of freedom fighters and Ghadar Party members Kartar Singh Sarabha and Mohan Singh Bakhna.

The Ghadar Party was founded in the United States and Canada by Indians in 1913 to help from there the freedom movement in India. It was founded by freedom fighter Lala Hardayal.

Bilga was only one year old when his father passed away. He was brought up by his maternal uncle and grandmother.

Baba Bilga had migrated to Argentina for greener pastures. It was Baba Ratan Singh, a leader of the Gadar Party, Baba Teja Singh Swatantar and Ajit Singh, an uncle of Bhagat Singh, who recognised his inner fire. Thus Baba Bilga had the honour of becoming the active member for raising a banner of revolt against the Union Jack in Argentina.

Later, he went to Moscow to complete his graduation. From there, he returned to India in 1934 to propagate party activities. He was the editor of Lal Dhindora, a newspaper brought out by revolutionaries.

He was imprisoned several times and lodged in different jails.

After Independence, he spent most of his time at Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Hall, Jalandhar, for keeping alive the contribution of the Gadarites during Independence. He was the president of the Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Society.

 

Jalandhari.Com salutes real life heroes like Mr. Bhagat Singh Bilga. May his soul rest in peace.