On “Why I Am an Atheist” by Bhagat Singh

by Sibi Maran

Bhagat Singh wrote “Why I Am an Atheist” in October 1930, while imprisoned in Lahore Central Jail, awaiting execution for his role in the Lahore Conspiracy Case. It is one of the most important and thoughtful writings by Bhagat Singh during his days in jail. 

While in jail, some of his friends accused him of turning atheist out of pride or vanity, suggesting that he thought himself too “great” to believe in God. To clear this misunderstanding, Bhagat Singh decided to write this essay to explain clearly and truthfully why he did not believe in God.

He begins by saying that he was not always an atheist. In his childhood, he was religious like everyone else. He performed rituals, recited prayers, and read religious books. For him at that time, belief in God was something taught by family and society. But as he grew older and joined the revolutionary movement, his thinking became more rational and scientific. He started questioning everything, not only the British rulers but also traditional beliefs, customs, and religion itself.

Bhagat Singh explains that his atheism was not born out of vanity, but from reasoning and rational thinking. He raises a simple but powerful question. If God is all-powerful, kind, and just, then why do we see so much suffering, poverty, and injustice in the world? If God created everything, then did He also create exploitation and inequality? He concludes that the idea of such a God is self-contradictory and incompatible with logic or justice.

Bhagat Singh was only 22 years old when he wrote this essay. Even when facing death, he never changed his stand. Many people thought that as the day of his execution came closer, he would turn to religion out of fear, but he never did. He firmly said, “I shall die with my head held high. I will never beg.” That kind of strength came not from religious faith, but from inner conviction and clarity of thought.

On March 23, 1931, Bhagat Singh was hanged in Lahore Jail along with Rajguru and Sukhdev. When Jail Warden Chhattar Singh came to take him to the gallows, he requested Bhagat Singh to remember Wahe Guru (God), since he had only a few moments left to live. Bhagat Singh smiled and said:

“Sardar-ji, throughout my life I have never remembered him. Looking at the atrocities against the poor and the downtrodden, I may even have reprimanded Him sometimes. Now, with death standing right in front of me, if I remember Him, He will say that this young man is both dishonest and a coward. But if I do not change my views about Him, He would say that this young man was both honest and brave.”

After this, Bhagat Singh walked calmly toward the gallows, his head held high. Even at that final moment, he stood firm in his views. His atheism was not a result of pride. It was the outcome of reasoning, rational thinking, and moral courage.

Later, Periyar E. V. Ramasamy was one of the first people to recognize the value of Bhagat Singh’s essay. He asked P. Jeevanandham to translate it into Tamil, and it was published in Kudi Arasu in 1935.

Today, even after 95 years, Bhagat Singh’s essay continues to inspire people. It reminds us that true courage lies not in blind faith, but in reasoning and rational thinking. His words encourage us to question, to reason, and to believe in the power of human beings to build a just and equal society.

- Sibi Maran