Tribute to Baba Bhagat Singh Bilga

(02-04-1907---22-05-2009)

Birmingham 30th May 2009.

by John Tyrrell (SLP NEC member)

Baba Bilga died while on a visit to Birmingham at the age of 102. I was invited to speak in tribute as an executive member of the Socialist Labour Party.

Like his namesake and contemporary Shaheed (Martyr) Bhagat Singh I found his life as a socialist was exemplary and this was a unique opportunity to learn about his extraordinary life which took him around the world in a struggle against imperialism, in particular his association with the Ghadar (Revolution) Party of which he was the last remaing survivor.

In his recent words he was critical of the Indian government's programme. This was his recent comment:

"Governments came and went but the issues of the development of society still lie unaddressed. The picture of India is not the same as conceived by the freedom fighters... Mulk di halat bigad gayi hai. Mehangayi te bekari ne aam admi di kamar tod ditti hai...Government policies are also biased. They are drafted for the elite and the middle class and the poor people are bearing the brunt."

Such words could as easily be addressed to leaders of the Tory. Liberal-Democrat and Labour parties in Britain who all believe in bailing out the wealthy elite leaving a huge burden for the poorest.