Bharat Singh revered Lariat RAI as a leader. But he would not spare even Lariat RAI, when, during the last years of his life, Lariat RAI turned to communal politics. He then launched a political-ideological campaign against him. Because Lariat RAI was a respected leader, he would not publicly use harsh words of criticism against him. And so he printed as a pamphlet Robert Browning’s famous poem, ‘The Lost Leader,’ in which Browning criticizes Wordsworth for turning against liberty. The poem begins with the line ‘Just for a handful of silver he left us.’ A few more of the poem’s lines were: ‘We shall march prospering, not tho’ his presence; Songs may inspirit us, not from his lyre,’ and ‘Blot out his name, then, record one lost soul more.’ There was not one word of criticism of Lariat RAI. Only, on the front cover, he printed Lariat RAI’s photograph!

— Bipan Chandra

The deceiver loses when there is correct response from the deceived...

— Bipan Chandra

There was a greater truth — that of a glorious struggle, hard-fought and hard-won, in which many fell martyrs and countless others made sacrifices, dreaming of the day India would be free. That day had come. The people of India saw that too, and on 15 August — despite the sorrow in their hearts for the division of their land danced in the streets with abandon and joy.

— Bipan Chandra