Thu. Mar 28th, 2024
By Alicia Nijdam from Cordoba, Argentina (India/Pakistan Border Uploaded by Ekabhishek) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

23rd March, 1931 was the fateful day on which three of the country’s arguably most passionate freedom fighters, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were hung. Despite 70 years of independence, the three have not been accorded the martyr’s status.

Sukhdev Thapar’s family demanded that on this day the three should finally be given the status they earned. They have also warned that if the demand isn’t met then they will go on a hunger strike. A relative said, “Our demand is that they should be given the status of martyrs. We are going to Delhi on Friday. We will place our demands there. If our demands are not met then we will go on hunger strike.”

Narendra Modi paid his tribute to the martyrs today. He acknowledged that it was their sacrifice that allowed others to live in freedom and dignity.

The three martyrs were hung for the ‘assassination’ of British police officer JP Saunders in 1928, at Lahore. Last December when the demand for the martyr status was raised in the Hgh Court, the case was dismissed by a bench consisting of Justice Gita Mittal, and Justice C Hari Shankar, on the grounds that there was no law that stated that they could issue such a direction.

By Sahitya