23rd March is a black day in the history of India when the country lost three young brave freedom fighters. This was the day when Bhagat Singh along with his two companions was hanged to death for killing J.P Saunders after trials for Lahore conspiracy against Britishers. They were hanged in the Jail of Lahore in 1928. Every year, the day is observed as Shaheed Diwas or Martyr’s day.
On this day, we will take you back in time when Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were executed by the then government.
Beginning Of Revenge
via:newsgram
Bhagat Singh who was an extreme follower of Lala Lajpat Rai was deeply hurt by the death of Rai who was assaulted and injured during a lathi charge by the British officials. To take revenge for his death, Bhagat Singh along with his two companions planned to kill Scott who was majorly involved in it.
Also Read: Remembering Young Martyrs Of India On National Martyrs Day
Mistakenly, he killed another police officer named John P. Saunders. The British government released a death warrant against the trio as per the Criminal Procedure Code.
Hunger Strike
Ideas and opinions of Bhagat Singh have inspired many then and still filling the youth with patriotism. Even when he was in jail, he never surrendered or bowed in front of Britishers. He encouraged all the Indians prisoners in jails to go on a hunger strike which was even supported by Muslim leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah in the Assembly.
His action gained attention not only within the jail but the entire nation supported him following which the government had no option other than advancing the murder trial on Bhagat Singh.
Hanged Till Death
On the decided date of 23rd March 1928, the trio was executed under the supervision of an honorary judge as all magistrates refused to supervise the hanging procedure. During the execution, all the prisoners inside jails were chanting “Inquilab Zindabad”.
After execution, their bodies were not given to their respective families, instead kept in Jail and officials secretly took the bodies to the place of cremation. Only ashes were handed over to the families.
Also Read: Prem Behari Raizada- Calligrapher Who Wrote Indian Constitution
Angry Youths Bashed Gandhi
via:ajantanews
The death of the trio raised anger among youths and freedom fighters as the government did not give a chance Bhagat, Sukhdev, and Rajguru to defend them. The main accused was Gandhi Ji then who was blamed for not saving them from execution.
Renaming Shaadman Chowk
via:thewire
Shaadman Chowk is the area in Lahore where the valiant patriots were hanged. The residents were demanding to install statues of all three and renamed the Chowk to Bhagat Singh Chowk. The demands are raised by the Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation who filed a petition in the high court of Lahore.
Shaheedi Mela At Border
Every year in Punjab, Shaheedi Mela is held in the memory of Martyr Bhagat Singh. In addition to this, there is a museum in Khatkar Kalan which is the ancestral village of Singh. The museum has a newspaper in which Britishers send ashes of Bhagat Singh.
Singh had Bhagavad Gita which he used to read when he was in Lahore jail. The museum has that copy with the signature of Singh on it.
An Atheist And Communist
via:thecommunists
Singh’s ideologies are still an inspiration for everyone. He was someone who didn’t follow the ideologies of prominent leaders blindly rather questioned every opinion and philosophy of theirs.
He opposed the existence of God for which he was called an atheist and was criticized. Answering those calling him a non-believer of God, Singh wrote an easy “Why I Am An Atheist.”
He was not a firm believer of Gandhian Ideology and was inspired by the teachings of communists like Karl Marx, Leon Trotsky, and Mikhail Bakunin. It was him who taught the true meaning of independence and said the ultimate goal should be Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam means independence should be free from all worldly desires.