Unsung Heroes of Independence - Anant Kanhere

Anant Laxman Kanhere

Anant Laxman Kanhere, one of the youngest revolutionary in India's freedom struggle.

Have you heard of him earlier? I bet u didn’t.

So, it’s the time now to read about his valorousness and sacrifice for the motherland.  At the age of 18, he martyred in the service of motherland and so you and I owe a lot to him.

It was early 1900s, british atrocities on us were extreme, revolutionary groups  were formed by young Nationalists. . Abhinav Bharat, a young revolutionary group led by Savarkar brothers was working secretly and was growing day by day.

At that time, a young mind, Anant Laxman Kanhere met members of the secret revolutionary groups and  was attracted towards their work and cause.

Babarao Savarkar, a great freedom fighter and elder brother of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was arrested and prosecuted by the British Police on the grounds of printing a sixteen-page book of the songs of Kavi Govind. British officer, Arthur Jackson was instrumental in getting Babarao arrested and prosecuted.

This instigated the Nationalists and a revolutionary group headed by Krishnaji Karve decided to eliminate Jackson in January 1910.

On 21 December, 1909, Jackson arrived at Vijayanand Theatre to see play. Anant leaped in front of Jackson and fired four bullets at him. Jackson died their immediately.

Vijayanand Theatre, where Anant shot Jackson

Anant Kanhere, 18 year old at that time, was arrested and prosecuted in Bombay Court. He was hanged four months later on 19 April, 1910 in the Thane prison alongwith Krishnaji Karve and Vinayak Deshpande. Their bodies were  burnt and Asthi were thrown in the sea by prison officers, rather than being released to their families.

A young student, an aspirant poet, Anant Laxman Kanhere gave highest sacrifice for our motherland.

There are numerous heroes who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of this country. We owe our independence to them. So, let us know more about those unsung valorous heroes.
Jay Hind. Jay Bharat.