Martyrs unparalleled

Sir, - Mr. K. N. Panikkar in his review of book by Mr. Kuldip Nayar on Bhagat Singh (The Hindu, April 2) has rightly observed that: ``... other revolutionary nationalists in the freedom struggle have not received the attention they deserve.''

As a former Airman of World War II and freedom fighter having been involved in the famous RIN Mutiny of 1946 that rattled British Parliament, I feel it was that mutiny which made Attlee assure the House that soon efforts would be made to see that India was given Independence.

The mutiny made the British so jittery that historians have recorded that it acted as a catalyst to hasten Independence. Even so, the Indian National Congress had played down the revolt after power was handed over to them. Hundreds of Indian soldiers lost their lives due to the repression let loose on the mutineers by the British. They are martyrs unparalleled no doubt but their sacrifices have gone unhonoured and unsung. No leader or no government representative mentions about these martyrs even on the Independence Day or Republic Day. No wonder we are yet to bring out an authentic history of our freedom struggle.

P. R. K. Chari,

Chennai

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