Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R) -
Assertion (A): Bhagat Singh, completely and consciously, was a secular thinker.
Reason (R): He used to say that, "Communalism is also as big an enemy as the British colonialism and we have to face it."

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct option is A

Assertion (A): Bhagat Singh was indeed a secular thinker. Throughout his life and revolutionary activities, Bhagat Singh emphasized the need to build a nation free of religious divisions. He believed in the unity of all Indians irrespective of religion, caste, or creed. His secular ideology was reflected in his writings, speeches, and the political stances he took.

Reason (R): Bhagat Singh was a strong critic of communalism and saw it as a force that could divide Indians and weaken the struggle for independence. He believed that communalism, just like British imperialism, was a significant threat to India’s unity and independence. His quote, “Communalism is as big an enemy as British colonialism,” highlights his deep concerns about religious divisions in the fight for freedom.