MARTYR’S DAY 23rd March

MARTYR’S DAY 23rd March: Remembering Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and  Rajguru

Martyr’s day (Shaheed Diwas) that is on 23rd march 1931,the famous trio Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar and Shivaram Rajguru were hanged to death by the britishers. The death anniversary of these great Indian freedom is observed as Martyrs Day/Shaheed Diwas. On this day every Indian pays homage to these three great revolutionaries who lost their lives to make India free from Britishers.

Bhagat Singh, basically from Punjab was a revolutionary socialist and very influential in the freedom struggle. Bhagat Singh with his companions Rajguru, Chandrashekhar Azad, Sukhdev and Jai Gopal took revenge for the assassination of Lala Lajpat Rai. On April 8,1929 Bhagat Singh and his companions threw bomb at the Central Legislative Assembly and shouted ‘Inquilab Zindabad’ without escaping. This attack was not intended to kill anyone but Deputy Superintendent of Police J P Saunders was assassinated.

Sukhdev Thapar also from Punjab was the member of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA). He also established the Naujawan Bharat Sabha organisation which helped the young participate in the freedom struggle and fight communalism. On December 18, 1928, Sukhdev was involved in Lahore Conspiracy Case.

Shivaram Hari Rajguru was a revolutionary from Pune who was accused in the assassination of J P Saunders along with Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev. He was also a member of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).

All three revolutionaries were jailed with murder charges and soon gained widespread national support. They also undertook a 116-day hunger strike while demanding equal rights for Indians. Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged on March 23, 1931 at 7.30 pm in the Lahore jail. Their bodies were cremated on the banks of the Sutlej River.

Legend of Bhagat Singh is a very good movie depicting their freedom struggle. We should be honoured to be an Indian from where such great personalities belong.

Jai Hind