HSRA- Hindustan Socialist Republican Association

The Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) was a revolutionary organization that played a crucial role in India's struggle for independence from British colonial rule. Established in the 1920s, the HSRA sought to inspire a radical change in society through its commitment to socialism and armed resistance. 

With a focus on youth engagement and revolutionary literature, the HSRA aimed to galvanize the masses against colonial oppression. The association's legacy continues to resonate, highlighting the intersection of nationalism and socialism in India's fight for independence.

Hindustan Socialist Republican Association Background

The backdrop of the HSRA's formation was marked by the Non-Cooperation Movement1919, which mobilized the Indian population against the British Raj. Though intended as a nonviolent resistance, it turned violent following the Chauri Chaura incident, leading Mahatma Gandhi to suspend it to prevent further escalation. This decision disillusioned a segment of nationalists who viewed the suspension as premature and unwarranted. The resulting political vacuum catalyzed the formation of revolutionary movements, including the HSRA, driven by more radical factions seeking to overthrow British rule.

Hindustan Socialist Republican Association Formation

The revolutionary activities in Punjab, the United Provinces, and Bihar were dominated by the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), which was later renamed the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA). The group was founded in October 1924 in Kanpur by prominent individuals such as Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee, Sachin Sanyal, and Ramprasad Bismil. Its goal was to plan an armed uprising to create the Federal Republic of the United States of India, which would be based on an adult franchise. 

HSRA Yellow Paper Constitution

With the approval of Lala Har Dayal, Ramprasad Bismil travelled to Allahabad, where he drafted the constitution of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) in 1923. He collaborated with Sachindra Nath Sanyal and another revolutionary from Bengal, Dr. Jadugopal Mukherjee, to formulate the foundational document. The key principles and objectives of the organization were typed on Yellow Paper, symbolizing its revolutionary ethos. 

• Subsequently, a Constitutional Committee meeting was held on October 3, 1924, in Cawnpore (now Kanpur), under the chairmanship of Sachindra Nath Sanyal, to finalize and endorse the constitution.

Publication of Revolutionary Literature

The HSRA published various revolutionary materials to inspire and mobilize the masses. A significant contribution was made by Sachindra Nath Sanyal, who wrote a manifesto for the organization titled “Revolutionary”. In it, Sanyal proposed the overthrow of British colonial rule. The manifesto also called for universal suffrage and aimed to abolish "all systems which make any kind of exploitation of man by man possible." Additionally, it criticized the policies of Mahatma Gandhi, urging the youth to join the revolutionary movement.

Hindustan Socialist Republican Association Activities

The HSRA engaged in a series of revolutionary activities aimed at undermining British authority and galvanizing public support for armed struggle. These actions included bank robberies, assassinations of British officials, and bombings designed to attract attention to their cause and incite a broader revolutionary movement. 

Kakori Conspiracy Case

The Kakori robbery, executed by the HSR in August 1925, was a pivotal action where members held up the 8-Down train at Kakori, near Lucknow, and looted substantial railway cash. This daring act aimed to finance revolutionary activities but led to a severe crackdown by British authorities, resulting in the arrest of many members. 

• Key revolutionaries Ramprasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Roshan Singh, and Rajendra Lahiri were executed by hanging.
• Following the Kakori setback, younger revolutionaries, inspired by socialist ideals, reorganized the HRA at a historic meeting in September 1928 in Delhi. 
• In this meeting, HRA was renamed HSRA under Chandra Shekhar Azad's leadership.

Killing of John P. Saunders

Following the death of Lala Lajpat Rai due to injuries, sustained during a lathi charge by police while participating in an anti-Simon Commission procession in October 1928, the HSRA shifted back to individual acts of violence. In December, Bhagat Singh, along with Chandra Shekhar Azad and Rajguru, assassinated John P. Saunders. They justified the act by stating that killing a representative of the oppressive regime was a necessary response to an insult to the nation, asserting it was their duty to confront the unjust system.

Central Assembly Bombing Case

On April 8, 1929, the HSRA orchestrated a bombing in the Central Legislative Assembly to publicly express its revolutionary objectives and protest the passage of the repressive Public Safety Bill and Trade Disputes Bill, which threatened the civil liberties of workers. Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt were tasked with throwing the bombs, which were deliberately made harmless to avoid casualties and aimed at making “the deaf hear.” The intention behind the bombing was to secure their arrest and use the subsequent trial as a forum for propaganda, allowing them to raise awareness of their movement and ideology among the public.

Hindustan Socialist Republican Association Prominent Members

The HSRA comprised several notable members who were integral to its revolutionary activities and ideological development. These individuals, driven by a commitment to independence and social justice, played crucial roles in planning and executing the organization’s key actions, often sacrificing their lives for the cause.

• Chandrasekhar Azad: Known as the mentor of Bhagat Singh and a central figure in the HSRA, Azad took charge of the group after the Kakori setback. He was committed to armed resistance and evaded capture by the British until he died in 1931 when he shot himself during an encounter to avoid being arrested.
• Bhagat Singh: A prominent leader of the HSRA, Bhagat Singh became the face of the revolutionary movement. Known for his intellectual prowess and radical ideas, he was involved in key actions like the killing of John Saunders and the Central Assembly bombing.
• Ram Prasad Bismil: One of the founding members of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), Bismil played a leading role in the Kakori robbery. A poet and a revolutionary, his execution in 1927 became a rallying point for future revolutionaries.
• Ashfaqulla Khan: A close associate of Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan was also a key participant in the Kakori robbery. 
• Sachindra Nath Sanyal: A founding member of the HRA, Sanyal played a crucial role in drafting the HRA’s constitution. He was also involved in several revolutionary actions and inspired the formation of the HSRA with his ideological leadership.
• Sachindra Nath Bakshi: A key figure in the HSRA, Bakshi was deeply involved in the planning and execution of revolutionary activities, including the Kakori Conspiracy. 

Hindustan Socialist Republican Association Decline

The decline of the HSRA began with the arrest of key leaders like Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru, who were tried in the Lahore Conspiracy Case. While in jail, the revolutionaries protested the harsh conditions through hunger strikes, leading to the martyrdom of Jatin Das after 64 days of fasting. 

• Despite these setbacks, Chandra Shekhar Azad continued revolutionary activities, including an attempt to blow up Viceroy Irwin’s train in 1929. 
• But Azad’s death in 1931, followed by the hanging of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru on March 23, 1931, marked the final blow to the HSRA, leading to its eventual decline.

Hindustan Socialist Republican Association Legacy

Despite its decline, the HSRA left a lasting impact on the Indian freedom struggle. Its emphasis on radicalism and socialism inspired future generations of activists and contributed to the discourse on justice and equality in post-colonial India. The sacrifices of its members, particularly Bhagat Singh, continue to be celebrated as symbols of resistance against oppression. 

The legacy of the HSRA is also preserved in physical monuments; for instance, a bomb factory and hideout located in Turi Bazaar, Firozpur, has been declared a national monument by the Government of Punjab, highlighting the historical significance of their efforts.

Hindustan Socialist Republican Association FAQs

Q1. Who established the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association HSRA?

Ans. Chandra Shekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, and others reorganized the HSRA in 1928.

Q2. Who was the founder of the HRA party?

Ans. Ram Prasad Bismil, Sachindra Nath Sanyal, and others founded the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) in 1924.

Q3. What was the main objective of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association?

Ans. The HSRA aimed to overthrow British rule and establish a socialist republic in India.

Q4. Who reorganized HSRA?

Ans. Chandra Shekhar Azad led the reorganization of the HSRA in 1928.

Q5. Who were the members of the HSRA assassinated?

Ans. Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru were executed for their revolutionary activities.