" Azad hu, Azad hi Marunga "

Today 23 July marks the birth anniversary of one of the greatest freedom fighter of Bharat, "Chandra Shekhar Azad". Born in Bhabhra village, in the present day Alirajpur district of Madhya Pradesh.

Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi also remembered, India's brave sons. He tweeted - "भारत मां के दो वीर सपूत लोकमान्य बाल गंगाधर तिलक और चंद्रशेखर आजाद को उनकी जन्म-जयंती पर शत-शत नमन।"

Along with Azad, 23 July also marks the birth anniversary of one more brave son of Bharat, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the man who revolutionized the freedom movement of India.

It was Bal Gangadhar Tilak who gave the famous slogan- " Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it" which ignited the flame of freedom from the Britishers among the heart of people.

Azad joined Mahatama Gandhi's movement when he was just 14 years old. When he was arrested and summoned before the court, he said-" Azad is my name, My father's name is Freedom and my home is Jail"

Azad then joined the Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil's Hindustan Republic Association, after the sudden suspension of non-cooperation movement in 1922 by Gandhi ji. He was quite angry on this as the movement was gaining a lot of support.  In the year 1925, Azad along with many other freedom fighters decided to loot the govt. For this, they robbed the Kakori train. He shot J.P Saunders in Lahore to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai in 1928

He made a vow that he will never be caught alive by the Britishers. On 27th February 1931, Chandra Shekhar Azad was with Sukhdev Raj in Alfred Park. Meanwhile their old companion Virbhadra Tiwari who betrayed them and told their whereabouts to the British govt. Azad helped Sukhdev to escape and when he was circled by the police he decided to shot himself. As he didn't wanted to be caught alive.

There were many speculations that, then Congress Party was involved.

Jawaharlal Nehru too criticized Azad of having a "fascist mind" in his autobiography.

Alfred Park in Allahbad now called as Prayagraj, where Azad died, has been renamed as Chandra Shekhar Azad Park.