It was February 1906. A grand exhibition had been arranged at Medinipur in Bengal. The intention was to hide the injustice of the British then ruling India. On exhibition were articles like pictures and puppets which could create the impression that the British rulers, though foreigners, were doing much to help the people of India. There were big crowds to see the exhibition.
Among the visitors to the exhibition, there were a few loyal to the King of England. They were opposed to the persons who exposed the injustice of the British. Words like Vande Mataram', 'Swatantrya' (freedom) and 'Swarajya' (self-rule) were like pins and needles to them. They tried to prevent the boy from distributing the handbills. Their eyes red with anger, they glared at the boy, rebuked him and frightened him. But ignoring them the boy calmly went on distributing the handbills. When some people tried to capture him, he smartly escaped.
At last a policeman caught hold of the boy's hand. He pulled at the bundle of handbills. But to catch the boy was not so easy. He jerked free his hand. Then he swung the arm and powerfully struck the nose of the policeman. Again he took possession of the handbills, and said, "Take care, don't touch my body! I will see how you can arrest me without a warrant."
The policeman who had received the blow rushed forward again; but the boy was not there. He had disappeared in the midst of the crowd.
As the people burst into cries Vande Mataram' the police and t loyal to the King were filled with wonder and also felt humiliated.
Later a case was filed against the boy; but the court set him on the ground of his tender age.
One of them explained:"They are suffering from some disease or the other. They have made a vow and are lying here without food and water. They will get up and go after God appears in their dream and promises to cure their diseases."
Khudiram thought for a moment and said, "One day I too will have to give up all 'thought of hunger and thirst and lie on the ground like these people."
"What disease has struck you?" A man asked the boy. Khudiram laughed, and said, "Can there be a disease worse than slavery? I will have to drive it out."
Even at that young age, Khudiram had thought so deeply about the country's freedom. But how was he to achieve it? This was the problem that always clouded his mind. How could he successfully do his duty?
While he was thus worried, Khudiram one day heard the cry 'Vande Mataram', 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' (Victory to Mother India). He was thrilled by these words, his eyes glowed and he felt happy.
Khudiram started teaching the song to his friends. He fully explained its meaning. He encouraged is a friend to read the novel 'Anandamata'.
The leaders of Khudiram's group of revolutionaries recognized his special devotion and interest in Vande Mataram'. They decided to print handbills containing the song and distribute them. Khudiram took an important part in this task. That was the background of the incident at the Medinipur Exhibition
The pretence of a trial took two months. In the end, the Magistrate read his judgment sentencing Khudiram to death. Even when the judgment was being read, Khudiram did not show even a faint trace of fear. The judge was surprised that a boy of nineteen years accepted death so calmly. "Do you know what this judgment means?" he asked.
Khudiram replied with a smile "I know its meaning better than you."
The judge asked, "Have you anything to say?"
"Yes. I have to explain a few things about making bombs."
The judge was now nervous that Khudiram might make a statement explaining how to make bombs and thus teach everyone in the court. Hence he did not allow the boy to make a statement.
Khudiram had not expected justice in a British court. But Kalidas Bose yearned to save Khudiram. He appealed to the Calcutta High Court on behalf of Khudiram. The judge of the High Court also under- stood Khudiram's nature. The fearless eyes and the determined face of the boy filled him, too, with wonder. He confirmed the death sentence given by the lower court. But he postponed the date of the execution from August 6, 1908 to August 19.
"Do you wish to say anything?" the judge asked.
Khudiram said, "Like the heroic Rajput women, I wish to die for the freedom of my country. The thought of the gallows does not make me unhappy in the least. My only regret is that Kingsford could not be punished for his crimes."
Even in prison, he was not at all worried. As death approached his face grew brighter. He thought that the sooner he sacrificed his life, the sooner he could be born again and fights for the freedom of his Motherland. This is not mere legend. Khudiram put on two pounds in the jail!
Khudiram had finally achieved his heroic goal; he had laid his life at the feet of Mother India. He is immortal in the history of India.
Khudiram's sacrifice did not go waste. Of course, the bomb thrown by him hit others, but not Kingsford. But the bomb of fear had entered the mind of Kingsford. Right from the day when Khudiram became a martyr, Kingsford had no peace of mind. Each moment seemed to bring him death. At last, he was so terrified that he resigned his post and settled at Mussorie.Kingsford, who frightened and tortured the innocents, himself died of terror.
Khudiram not only himself became immortal, but also inspired others by his sacrifice to become immortal. In course of time, thousands of young men and women followed in his footsteps and enbed the British regime in India. While Kingsford had to quit his post, the British had to quit India itself.
