During a forum titled ‘Reckoning with Bhagat Singh in the Battle of Ideas’ held in Chandigarh, historian Salil Misra argued against reducing Bhagat Singh to a single ideological label, stating that such simplification does an injustice to both Singh and Marxism. Misra described Singh, who was executed at the young age of 23 in 1931, as a thinker engaged in an ongoing dialogue with various ideas rather than someone confined to rigid categories. He highlighted Singh's conscious opposition to both the Swaraj Party and Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent approach, emphasizing that Singh viewed Gandhi's methods as obstacles to true liberation. Misra also discussed Singh's relationship with Marxism, suggesting that while he was a Marxist, his ideas should be understood within the broader context of the Enlightenment tradition. Poet Swarajbir contributed to the discussion by asserting that the people's understanding of Singh differs from that of historians, with literature and drama being vital in preserving his legacy. Historian Sumail Singh Sidhu characterized Singh as a transitional figure, highlighting his role in bridging various ideological trends and political mobilizations.