He was the important person in the life of Bhagat Singh and Chandrasekhar Azad. The broad turbaned head held with self-respect and patriotism and thick white mustaches enhanced the personality of Lala Lajpat Rai. Her austere personality was a magnet for all freedom fighters.

Rai always wanted to have full political independence. He was a member of the Indian National Congress along with Bal Gangadhar Tilak from Maharashtra and Bipin Chandra Pal from Bengal. The trio was titled as Lal-Bal-Pal. Rai was also a member of the Hindu Maha Sabha, a forerunner of today’s Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP).

He was the good orator and also a versatile writer. He laid the foundation for Arya Samaj along with like-minded people and also wrote a journal on Arya Samaj related topics. Being a talented and prolific writer, Rai wrote an autobiography in English, titled The Story of My Life.

He was a supporter of the Amritsar massacre in 1919 and the Non-Cooperation Movement (1919-1922). He protested against these heinous acts by the British and Rai was repeatedly arrested for them. Lala Lajpat Rai believes that he is an example. To prove his views, he opposed the Simon Commission. During that procession, the British severely beat him with wooden sticks. This caused him a fever and painful fatal injuries. Ultimately, he succumbed due to his poor health. He was the epitome of brains and courage. In his honor, some areas, schools and markets are named after him.

Lala Lajpat Rai was born on January 28, 1865 in the village of Dhudi Ke, present-day Moga district in Punjab, India. He was the eldest son in his family. Popularly known as Punjab Kesari, which means Lion of Punjab, Rai left us for heaven on the 17th of NOVEMBER 1928.