Question map
Assertion(A): Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw bombs in the Legislative Assembly in 1929. Reason (R): They wanted to kill some members of the Legislative Assembly as a revenge for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai.
Explanation
Assertion (A) is true as Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw bombs into the Central Legislative Assembly on April 8, 1929 [c1][t2]. However, Reason (R) is false. The primary objective of the bombing was not to kill members or seek revenge for Lala Lajpat Rai's death, but to protest against the 'draconian' Public Safety Bill and Trade Disputes Bill [c1][c2]. The bombs were intentionally designed to be 'harmless' and were thrown into empty spaces to 'make the deaf hear' [t5]. While the revenge for Lala Lajpat Rai's death was indeed a motive for the earlier assassination of J.P. Saunders in the Lahore Conspiracy Case [c3][c4], the Assembly bombing was a demonstrative act of protest intended to publicize the HSRA's ideology and mobilize the masses [c1][c2]. Thus, the motive cited in the Reason applies to a different event.
Sources
- [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 17: Emergence of Swarajists, Socialist Ideas, Revolutionary Activities and Other New Forces > Bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly (April 1929) > p. 350
- [2] History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 5: Period of Radicalism in Anti-imperialist Struggles > Bhagat Singh's Bomb Throwing > p. 64
- [3] History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Advent of Gandhi and Mass Mobilisation > Left Movement > p. 50
- [4] Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 15: Struggle for Swaraj > THE SECOND NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT > p. 281
- [5] http://indianculture.gov.in/digital-district-repository/district-repository/statement-bhagat-singh-and-batukeshwar-dutt