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The Execution of Bhagat Singh: Legal Heresies of the Raj
Bhagat Singh, one of the most influential revolutionaries of the Indian Independence movement, was only twenty-three when he was executed in 1931. In their attempt to punish him, British authorities used controversial legislative powers to make an ordinance supposedly aimed at preserving 'peace, order and good government' but one that was never approved by the Central Assembly in India nor the British Parliament. A three-judge special tribunal was mandated to complete a hearing within a fixed period that did not even allow the 457 prosecution witnesses to be cross-examined. Dr Satvinder Singh Juss, a London-based law professor and practising barrister, looks at these and other flaws in the legal process that was followed leading to the hanging. Full of engrossing detail from previously unpublished original archival material, including documents translated here for the first time, The Execution of Bhagat Singh considers the case for setting aside the sentence of execution in retrospect and for an official pardon for the revolutionary today
288 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 20, 2022
I think at times I found the content of the book to be too focused on legal occurrences, which makes sense because it is a book centred around that theme. Law enthusiasts would absolutely love this book, but for everyone else, the author still does a good job of pulling from the historical events of the time and seeing their impacts on court proceedings. I liked the author's attempts to connect current events in India to partition-era happenings - it brought out the necessity of Bhagat Singh and his comrades' actions in inciting change. The names of the revolutionaries who took action deserve to be more widely discussed than others like Gandhi, who contributed comparatively little to the cause.
March 23, 2021
The book named "THE EXECUTION OF BHAGAT SINGH" Legal Heresies of the Raj, is written by Satvinder Singh Juss.
The book talks about the Life of legendary revolutionary hero of Indian Independence movement, Bhagat Singh, and his life. The book depicts all the events of that era.
I love reading about India, my country and it's history. I just love how we had such heroes in our country, who didn't fear death, who gave all they could for independence of India, for upcoming generations. It's only because of them that we now are living free life. Scenario could have been different if we did not have these hero among us.
Bhagat Singh gave up his life for our country at the mere age of 23. He was one of the most influential revolutionary. And reading so many details about his life and the harshness he faced, just gave goosebumps to me. The book talks about his early age, how he studied, how he became a rebel of such a great good cause, how he never stepped back while fighting for India, his ideology.
His ideology!! That's what could be the most important thing that could have changed the way India is, if he was not hanged, so unlawfully !
And I do agree totally with this.
The book Continues to tell story of different time zones, it narrates about his childhood, his mentality, his way of thinking, the incidents, the protest and court room proceedings.
As we all know, A lot of unlawful activities were done by the Britishers, but the way they did not allow the 456 prosecution witnesses to be cross examined !! Was most felonious of all.
The book provides very minute details of his life and those times. It gives us more peep into the matters through pictures, pictures of Bhagat Singh, sukhdev and many more, pictures of hand written letters by Bhagat Singh, pictures of the court pages, and much more.
There's too much to read in this book.
The narration is best. The storyline is well developed. It gets more to more interesting with each page. I loved the way the author has scripted everything.
It's a must read. Everyone must buy this book. It's fabulous.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
The book talks about the Life of legendary revolutionary hero of Indian Independence movement, Bhagat Singh, and his life. The book depicts all the events of that era.
I love reading about India, my country and it's history. I just love how we had such heroes in our country, who didn't fear death, who gave all they could for independence of India, for upcoming generations. It's only because of them that we now are living free life. Scenario could have been different if we did not have these hero among us.
Bhagat Singh gave up his life for our country at the mere age of 23. He was one of the most influential revolutionary. And reading so many details about his life and the harshness he faced, just gave goosebumps to me. The book talks about his early age, how he studied, how he became a rebel of such a great good cause, how he never stepped back while fighting for India, his ideology.
His ideology!! That's what could be the most important thing that could have changed the way India is, if he was not hanged, so unlawfully !
And I do agree totally with this.
The book Continues to tell story of different time zones, it narrates about his childhood, his mentality, his way of thinking, the incidents, the protest and court room proceedings.
As we all know, A lot of unlawful activities were done by the Britishers, but the way they did not allow the 456 prosecution witnesses to be cross examined !! Was most felonious of all.
The book provides very minute details of his life and those times. It gives us more peep into the matters through pictures, pictures of Bhagat Singh, sukhdev and many more, pictures of hand written letters by Bhagat Singh, pictures of the court pages, and much more.
There's too much to read in this book.
The narration is best. The storyline is well developed. It gets more to more interesting with each page. I loved the way the author has scripted everything.
It's a must read. Everyone must buy this book. It's fabulous.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
May 6, 2025
An important exploration of a grave injustice. I think it really demonstrates the inescapability of tyranny under colonial rule, a system that can always move the goalposts to best take advantage of its subjects.
I think this is likely targeted at law students and professionals. People like me who stand outside the profession may struggle to keep up with the legal terms and might find it a little hard to follow. If you struggle, I'd recommend just reading one or two chapters as it will still illustrate the absurd farce that constituted imperial justice.
I think this is likely targeted at law students and professionals. People like me who stand outside the profession may struggle to keep up with the legal terms and might find it a little hard to follow. If you struggle, I'd recommend just reading one or two chapters as it will still illustrate the absurd farce that constituted imperial justice.
August 18, 2021
Very beautiful book written by Satvinder Juss. All events described in detail related to Bhagat Singh and his comerades from a legal viewpoint. Clear the picture of how the legal proceedings (which were actually illegal) happened. A must read if you want to know more about british India and the system of that time in India.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews