About Shaheed Diwas

Every year, Shaheed Diwas is celebrated on March 23 to honor the brave freedom fighters who lost their lives in the war against British rule.

Three freedom fighters – Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar were hanged in Lahore Jail (now Pakistan) on this day for their role in the murder of JP Saunders and the attack on the Central Assembly.

At that time, Bhagat Singh was 23 years old, while Rajguru was 22 years old and Sukhdev was 23 years old.

Date

Shaheed Diwas is often seen in India. Besides March 23, the day Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated, January 30 also marks Shaheed Diwas. Today, people from all walks of life honor the heroes and are inspired by their struggle to protect and defend the honor of the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to freedom fighters on Shaheed Diwas. “Salute to Freedom Revolutionaries, ‘Amar Shaheed Veer’ Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru on Martyrdom Day,” he wrote in Hindi.

Prime Minister Modi added, “The sacrifice of these great sons of ‘Maa Bharati’ will be an inspiration to every generation in the country.” Jaï Hind.

आजादी के क्रांतिदूत अमर शहीद वीर भगत सिंह, सुखदेव और राजगुरु को शहीदी दिवस पर शत-शत नमन। मां भारती के इन महान सपूतों का बलिदान देश की हर पीढ़ी के लिए प्रेरणास्रोत बना रहेगा। जय हिंद! #ShaheedDiwas pic.twitter.com/qs3SqAHkO9

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 23, 2021

History of ‘Shaheed Diwas’

In October 1928, Lala Lajpat Rai led a non-violent protest against Sir John Simon’s visit to Lahore with the famous slogan – “Simon, go back”. Police Chief James A Scott ordered the police to charge the protesters. Although freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai was seriously injured, after his death, three freedom fighters – Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev along with other freedom fighters decided to kill James Scott. But they accidentally killed another police officer, John P Saunders.

After they planned to attack the Central Assembly to teach the British a lesson for killing Rai, they were arrested and sentenced to death. On this day in 1931, Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar were hanged in Lahore Jail. All three were sentenced to death in connection with the murder of JP Saunders and the attack on the Central Legislative Assembly.

Significance

Schools also organize debates, essay competitions, patriotic games and cultural programs on patriotic themes to commemorate the dead. Young people are motivated by these actions to know about the sacrifices made by their ancestors and to show their happiness for their freedom.

The day is recognized as a memorial to the freedom fighters who gave their lives to protect the freedom of their country.

About Bhagat Singh and his Company

Bhagat Singh was born on September 28, 1907 in Lyallpur, Punjab. Bhagat Singh, along with his companions Rajguru, Sukhdev, Azad and Gopal fought for the assassination of Lala Lajpat Rai. Bhagat Sing has become an inspiration to the youth through his music.

He and his party on April 8, 1929, threw a bomb at the Central Legislative Assembly while reading the slogan “Inquillab Zindabad”. And for that, they were charged with murder. On March 23, 1931, in the Lahore jail, they were hanged. Their bodies were cremated on the banks of the river Sutlej.

Why were the freedom fighters hanged?

After the assassination of Lala Lajpat Rai in November 1928, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev and others vowed revenge. Rai was an important leader in India’s freedom struggle, inspiring many Indian youth to join the struggle for freedom.

To teach the British a lesson, the three freedom fighters planned to kill James A Scott. Scott was the Superintendent of Police during British rule and was known for his brutality.

The three freedom fighters intended to kill James A Scott to teach a lesson to the British. During the British rule, Scott was the Superintendent of Police and was known for his brutality.

Scott had ordered the police to charge the protesters and attacked Rai himself, causing life-threatening injuries. The plan was to send a message to the British Army that the Indians would not back down.

However, it was John P Saunders, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, who was mistakenly killed. The three freedom fighters were charged and later hanged for Saunders’ murder.