Baikuntha Shukla

Baikuntha Shukla belonged to a family, which already had given India an able freedom fighter. His name was Yogendra Shukla – one of the famous personalities, who founded the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA). Being born in this family, Baikuntha grew up in an environment, which made him a true revolutionary nationalist. His life was short but his deeds for India left a deep impact on many Indians of his era.

Birth and entry into the freedom movement

The great Indian nationalist was born in 1910 at Jalalpur Village, Bihar. He could attain only primary school education and later, became a schoolteacher in Mathurapur. During this period, he came in contact with Kishori Prasanna Singh, who was an active freedom fighter. Kishori took the enthusiastic youngster under his wing and trained him as a revolutionary.

Assassination of Phanindranath Ghosh

The HSRA was an active group, which was highly influenced by the Soviet Revolution. Working on the Soviet model, the HSRA members organized and carried out a variety of attacks on the British officials. The aim of the group was to make the British government realize that the Indians were no longer willing to tolerate its subjugation.

However, the organization wanted to spread its ideology even deeper in the Indian society. In order to achieve it, the young revolutionaries like Baikuntha Shukla helped in popularizing the motto of HSRA i.e. complete freedom from British supremacy and rule. In this regard, the assassination of JP Saunders was carried out. Later on, the HSRA members bombed the Central Legislative Assembly.

Although Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutta did not flee and let themselves captured, many other revolutionaries were caught when the police raided the bomb factories run by HSRA. Amongst them, there was one named Phanindranath Ghosh. When the authorities tortured him, he gave in and revealed the whereabouts of a host of HSRA members.

The British police let Phanindranath free and even gave him protection at his residence. The HSRA members were deeply shocked by Phanindranath’s betrayal. They wanted revenge and for this purpose, senior members Sadashiv Rao Malpurkar and Bhagwan Das were selected. Nevertheless, due to some miscalculation, the assassination wasn’t successful.

It was at this time that Baikuntha Shukla came forward and volunteered for the task. Seeing his determination, the members agreed to let him take it up. In his mission, he was accompanied by Chandrama Ghosh. On October 9, 1932, as Phanindranath was managing his business at his shop, the duo shot him dead. After the assassination, they fled the spot right away and took shelter at the house of revolutionary Ramvinod.

Death

Baikuntha Shukla and his companion spent a few days at the revolutionary’s residence. However, as the threat of being caught increased, Baikuntha insisted that Chandrama should run away, as the latter was married and had a family to look after. After his companion went away, he came out of the hiding and lived his life without any fear.

He even visited markets and carried on with his life as if nothing had happened. However, in due time, the police came to know of his location and on July 6, 1933, he was arrested. In his trial, he was found guilty of murder. On May 14, 1934, he was hanged at the Gaya Central Jail.

Baikuntha Shukla