India got Independence on 15th August 1947 putting an end to the British rule of about two hundred years, including that of East India Company. Many freedom fighters became martyrs in the struggle for independence. Congress, Communists, Socialists – all fought for freedom of the country.

But when the country became independent on 15th August 1947, there was one freedom fighter still in jail. It was Comrade A.K.Gopalan (Com. AKG). While hundreds of freedom fighters in jail were released, the Congress Govt. did not release him. Com. AKG hoisted the Indian Flag in the Jail and saluted it.

Again,there was the struggle against the hated draconian Emergency declared by the Indira Gandhi on 25 June 1975, when her election to Parliament was declared invalid. Almost all leaders of political parties, except Congress, were arrested and jailed. The press was silenced. Fascist methods were used against protesting people. Com. AKG, naturally opposed the Emergency tooth and nail.But due to his serious illness, he was not arrested. His illness took a turn to the worse and he passed away on 23rd March 1977.

The Emergency was withdrawn on 24th March 1997. The Congress was utterly defeated in the General elections and a Non- Congress Government for the first time in India was formed at Centre. Political leaders and trade union leaders and others were released. But Comrade AKG could not know about the good news. He was in comma for a few days earlier and passed away before the withdrawal of Emergency and formation of the Janata Government which won the elections with huge margin.

His famous words are significant and prophetic in this context: ‘I may not be alive to see the victory of the people. But it is a certainty that it will come sooner or later’.