My applications submitted to the Tribunal regarding my interview during the hunger strike were misinterpreted, and it was published in the press that I was going to offer defence, though in reality I was never willing to offer any defence.
Interpretation
The quote expresses Bhagat Singh's frustration over the misinterpretation of his intentions during a critical moment, revealing the challenges faced by those who stand up for their beliefs.
In this quote, Bhagat Singh highlights the difficulties he encountered in ensuring his stance and intentions were accurately represented during a time of significant personal sacrifice. His experience during the hunger strike, a powerful act of defiance, was distorted by external narratives, emphasizing the struggle for truth and integrity in the face of oppression and misinformation. Singh's unwillingness to defend himself in a conventional sense illustrates his commitment to his cause and the conviction that his actions spoke louder than words.
In practice
In a speech about human rights, referring to Bhagat Singh's struggle for justice.
One should not interpret the word “Revolution” in its literal sense. Various meanings and significances are attributed to this word, according to the interests of those who use or misuse it. For the established agencies of exploitation it conjures up a feeling of blood stained horror. To the revolutionaries it is a sacred phrase.
Non-violence is backed by the theory of soul-force in which suffering is courted in the hope of ultimately winning over the opponent. But what happens when such an attempt fail to achieve the object? It is here that soul-force has to be combined with physical force so as not to remain at the mercy of tyrannical and ruthless enemy.
Those revolutionaries who have, by chance, escaped the gallows should live and show to the world that they cannot only embrace gallows for the ideal but also bear the worst type of tortures in the dark, dingy prison cells.
Love always elevates the character of man. It never lowers him, provided love be love
A rebellion is not a revolution. It may ultimately lead to that end.
They may kill me, but they cannot kill my ideas. They can crush my body, but they will not be able to crush my spirit.
We cried and sobbed and wept and bled tears. But when we were finished, all we could do was continue living.
There would be no difficulty in securing the rights of the people and the liberties of Texas if men would march to their duty and not fly like recreants from danger. Texas must be defended and liberty maintained.
I was stricken by news and television pictures coming from the United States this morning. It is impossible to fully comprehend the evil that would have conjured up such a cowardly and depraved assault upon thousands of innocent people. There can be no cause or grievance that could ever justify such unspeakable violence. Indeed, such an attack is an assault not only on the targets but an offense against the freedom and rights of all civilized nations.
Overcoming difficulties leads to courage, self-respect, and knowing yourself.
The governments of Europe are afraid to trust the people with arms. If they did, the people would certainly shake off the yoke of tyranny, as America did.
I dislike death, however, there are some things I dislike more than death. Therefore, there are times when I will not avoid danger.
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