'Bhagat Singh has been portrayed wrongly'

LUDHIANA: Is it that Bhagat Singh has been typecast ? Surely, at least by the younger generation, that is all bent on flaunting his pictures on the rear of their cars. And, his typecast image is that of an angry young man who can kill or die for his pride.
Undoubtedly, it is clear that Singh was a well-read and intellectual leader, who did not rise to the rank of becoming a youth icon, just because he threw bomb or because he was a member of the team that killed Saunders, still none of his posters depict him as reading a book or indulging in any other activity.
Discussing Bhagat Singh, whose sacrifice inspired and infuriated thousands to join the independence movement, youngsters hesitantly admitted that other traits of his personality were not highlighted, either deliberately or unconsciously.
Gurpreet Singh Brar, former president of students��� union at PAU commented, ���We have failed in understanding Bhagat Singh. We could have learned more.��� Though, personally Brar too admits, ���I admire him because of his power to question the unquestionable. He fought against all odds.���
The posters of the martyr available in the market are the ones in which he is shown stroking his moustaches with a sense of pride on his face. Few youngsters expressed that he was not at all of the kind that is depicted in the picture.
Here is the poster in which it is written ���-hatt piche mitra di muchh da swal hai (get aside it is a matter of pride). ���But, this is sheer blasphemy to the martyr,��� said Arun Kumar, a postgraduate student of history. Rupinder Singh, another PAU student questioned, ���Why is Bhagat Singh always perceived as someone who was blood thirsty. He was not. He was as non-violent as Gandhi. Why is he always depicted as a man whom Gandhi did not admire or who did not admire Gandhi���
Interestingly, of all the freedom fighters, Bhagat Singh is the only one for whom the younger generation has expressed liking. Even Udham Singh, who claimed avenging Jallianwala massacre by assassinating Michael O��� Dwyer, does not pose any competition when it comes to posters.