Daily Times

LAHORE: The Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation and other civil society organisation observed the 86th death anniversary of great freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev silently at Shadman Chowk on Thursday.

The foundation’s president, Abdullah Malik, said in a statement that the foundation did not organise the event on a large scale due to security reasons as well as the negative campaign by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as he was promoting the narrative of hatred and fundamentalism across the border.

“But we, the members of Bhagat Singh Foundation and civil activists, are observing this day to remember the great revolutionary Bhagat Singh, who was hanged along with his companions on March 23, 1931 at the same place.”

Despite severe threat, some civil society activists gather there and paid rich tribute to Bhagat Singh for his great sacrifice for the people of the subcontinent. “The people will never forget the courage and sacrifice of Bhagat Singh and his companions. Bhagat Singh raised his voice against imperialism and occupation of the British regime,” said Malik.

He said that Bhagat Singh was a great freedom fighter and a hero of this region, a son of this soil. He said that Bhagat had visited many towns of Punjab to inspire other youngsters to fight for freedom.

Malik said the organisation was observing ‘Bhagat Singh Day’ to protest against the fundamentalistic policies of the Modi government, as they were ruining peace in the region and trying to create controversy on this issue too. He said that Bhagat Singh had no concern with creed, cast, colour and religion, as he worked as a freedom fighter for the people of the region who had been under the British rule. “Bhagat Singh raised his voice against discrimination of the British rulers. We are creating space for peace in the region.”

He also urged the governments of India and Pakistan to declare all freedom fighters their “national heroes” and observe their days as national days.

On the occasion, he also criticised the Punjab government for not fulfilling its promise of renaming Shadman Chowk to Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chowk – a decision that the government later withdrew. Later, a candlelit vigil was also held on the occasion.