March 23rd is a day of great importance in Indian history. It is the day we commemorate Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Shivaram Rajguru, three young revolutionaries who laid down their lives for India’s independence. Their bravery, determination, and unflinching love for the country continue to inspire generations. Shaheed Diwas Martyrs’ Day A Tribute to Bhagat Singh
The Story of Their Sacrifice
In 1928, the British brutally lathi-charged a peaceful demonstration against the Simon Commission, resulting in the killing of Lala Lajpat Rai. This infuriated young revolutionaries, particularly Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, who felt the need for taking revenge. They killed J.P. Saunders, a British police officer, thinking he was the person who had killed Lajpat Rai.
One year later, on April 8, 1929, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt tossed harmless bombs within the Central Legislative Assembly in protest against tyrannical British laws. They did not attempt to escape but instead yelled “Inquilab Zindabad” (Long Live the Revolution) before being arrested. The British declared death sentences for Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev in what was commonly referred to as an unjust trial.
The Contribution of HSRA and Other Revolutionaries
The three were members of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), a revolutionary group that advocated armed struggle against the British. Ram Prasad Bismil, Chandrashekhar Azad, Ashfaqulla Khan, and others were the prominent faces of this revolution.
Ram Prasad Bismil, author of the famous poem “Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna”, was instrumental in the Kakori Train Robbery (1925), a move to raise funds for the revolution.
Chandrashekhar Azad, courageous and resolute, never got himself caught. He was killed fighting the British in Alfred Park, Allahabad, in 1931.
These revolutionaries envisioned a free, equitable, and just India, not freedom from the British alone but also the abolition of social injustice and exploitation.
Martyrdom and Legacy
Despite huge protests and pleas, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were executed by hanging on 23rd March 1931 at Lahore Central Jail. Their killing, far from silencing them, made them symbols of India’s quest for freedom.
Their ideas are still valid even today. They stood for education, equality, and self-dependence, things that can even now lead us towards a stronger India.
Why We Must Remember Them
Shaheed Diwas is not only a remembrance of their sacrifice but also holding on to their vision. Patriotism is not only loving your country but also rising up against corruption, injustice, and inequality. Let us commemorate their legacy by working towards a powerful and independent India.
Inquilab Zindabad! Jai Hind!
