Hemu Kalani

Hemu Kalani (Sindhi:هيمو ڪالاڻي) was a Hindu Indian revolutionary and freedom fighter. He belonged to that rare band of revolutionaries whose indomitable spirits brook no resistance, for whom tortures of imprisonment have no meaning and death holds no terror. Hemu Kalani was so happy in his readiness to make the supreme sacrifice for the liberation of his motherland, that he gained weight during the last days which is most unusual for a prisoner condemned to die. While marching to the gallows, he consoled his distressed mother by reminding her of her earlier teachings of the Gita regarding the indestructibility of soul. So strong was his patriotic zeal that he pledged his next life also to the cause of India's Freedom.

Early life

Hemu Kalani was born at Sukkur in Sindh (now in Pakistan), on 23 March, 1923. He was the son of Pesumal Kalani and Jethi Bai. He was brave and patriotic right from his childhood. Even at the age of 7, he used to lead the boys of his locality with the tri-colour in his hands. With his friends, he used to plead for boycotting all foreign goods and persuade people to use Swadeshi goods. He was soon drawn to revolutionary activities and started participating in acts of terrorism for the sake of driving away the British. He was always leading in raids and in burning of vehicles belonging to the oppressors.

Freedom struggle

In 1942, when Mahatma Gandhi started the Quit India movement and the slogan 'Do or Die', Hemu Kalani joined the movement. There was such active participation from the people of Sindh Province in this movement that the British rulers had to send special troops consisting of European battalions. When Hemu Kalani came to know that these troops and the ammunition would be arriving in Sindh by a train passing through his town, he decided to derail the train by removing the fish plates from the railway track. He and his friends were severely handicapped in not having any tools for loosening the nuts and bolts and for removing the fishplates. Time was also against them. Hemu, however, did not give up. He inspired his friends to loosen the nuts and bolts with the help of ropes and they started on this job. However, before they could complete it, they were seen by the British troops and Hemu, in his effort to save his friends, was caught. He was imprisoned and tortured to give out the names of his friends but he stubbornly refused to divulge any information. He was tried under the then prevailing miracle law and sentenced to death. People of Sindh petitioned for mercy to the to the Viceroy but the death sentence was upheld, unless Hemu turned an approver and gave information regarding his fellow revolutionaries. There was no question of Hemu's accepting these conditions and he welcomed the impending death most cheerfully. This young freedom fighter and revolutionary was hung on 21st January 1943.

Legacy

* Indore city has named a road intersection after Hemu Kalani and placed his statue at the centre of the intersection.
* A statue of Hemu Kalani is located in the Parliament complex in front of the Deputy Speaker's office. [ [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030819/nation.htm#18]
* Chembur, a suburb of Mumbai with a large Sindhi population, has Hemu Kalani Marg named after the famous freedom fighter.
* Ulhasnagar, also known as Sindhunagar has erected Statue of Shaheed Hemu Kalani at the crossing of the road (chowk).
* Jodhpur City (Rajasthan) has named a road intersection after Hemu Kalani and placed his statue at the centre of the intersection.