Honoring the Heroes of the Kakori Train Action: A Tribute by UP Chief Minister

The Kakori Train Action, a pivotal event in India's fight for independence, was commemorated by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He paid tribute to the heroes, including Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqulla Khan, emphasizing their sacrifices for the nation. This article explores the significance of the Kakori Train Action, the revolutionary activities that led to it, and the British government's response. Discover how this event continues to inspire patriotism and honor the legacy of those who fought for India's freedom.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 19, 2025, 08:44 IST

A Significant Event in India's Freedom Struggle

The Kakori Train Action, which took place in August 1925 near Kakori village close to Lucknow, holds a crucial place in India's fight for independence. On Friday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid homage to the heroes of this event on their martyrdom day.

In a post on his official social media account, Yogi Adityanath expressed, 'On the martyrdom day of the heroes of the Kakori Train Action, Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, and Thakur Roshan Singh, I pay my humble tribute to their everlasting legacy of India's pride.'

A Legacy of Sacrifice

In his post, Yogi emphasized, 'You all dedicated everything to uphold the honor of the motherland and keep the flame of freedom alive. Your legacy will continue to inspire us to prioritize the nation's interests.'

Tributes from Other Leaders

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya also paid tribute on social media, stating, 'On the martyrdom day of the immortal martyrs Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, and Roshan Singh, I offer my humble respects! These brave souls shook the foundations of British rule through the Kakori Train Action.'

Maurya further noted, 'These great revolutionaries, by organizing the youth and patriots, inspired them for the freedom of the motherland, and their unique courage and sacrifice will forever remain etched in the memories of the nation.'

What Was the Kakori Train Action?

On August 9, 1925, Indian revolutionaries executed the Kakori Train Action to seize funds from the British government, which were being transported on the No. 8 Down train from Shahjahanpur to Lucknow, to support the freedom struggle.

Following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre (1919) and the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1922), young nationalists formed the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) in 1924 to fund revolutionary activities by seizing the British treasury's money being transported by train. This action was carried out by revolutionaries including Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Rajendra Lahiri, Keshav Chakravarti, Mukundi Lal, Banwari Lal, and Chandrashekhar Azad, all members of the HRA.

British Response to the Kakori Action

In response to the Kakori robbery, the British authorities arrested many individuals, with 17 receiving prison sentences, four sentenced to life imprisonment, and four—Bismil, Ashfaqulla, Roshan Singh, and Rajendra Lahiri—executed. The Kakori incident was a significant blow to the British regime, while Chandrashekhar Azad was among the few revolutionaries who managed to escape from police capture.

On December 19, 1927, Ram Prasad Bismil was hanged in Gorakhpur, Roshan Singh in Malaka (Naini) jail, and Ashfaqulla Khan in Faizabad (Ayodhya) jail. Rajendra Lahiri was executed two days earlier, on December 17, in Gonda jail.

In 2021, the Uttar Pradesh government officially renamed this revolutionary event to 'Kakori Train Action,' a term that began to be used in official communications, replacing the previously common references of 'Kakori Train Robbery' or 'Kakori Train Conspiracy.'