Govt's apathy towards freedom fighters! Bhagat Singh still not 'martyr' in official records

New Delhi, March 23: At a time when nation is celebrating 'Shaheed Divas' (March 23) to mark the death anniversary of Bhagat Singh and his associates, it is shocking that in Government's record, these freedom fighters are still not 'martyrs'.

Reportedly, Government has closed files related to Bhagat Singh where an enquiry was made and it was asked that the freedom fighter should be declared a 'martyr'. A lawyer named Maninder Singh had filed a RTI in 2013 and had asked for information on the matter during UPA govt's rule.

Congress-led Government had said that it has no record to show whether Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were declared martyrs or not.

After much outrage over the matter, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said the fact that late freedom fighter was a martyr is not dependent on any official records.

"That Shaheed Bhagat Singh was a martyr in the supreme national cause of independence is a fact. It is not dependent on the presumed presence or absence of official records. His role in our freedom struggle is an inalienable part of the discourse of our independence. He is a part of our proud national legacy," the Prime Minister had said.

What has Modi government said on the matter?

According to an Amar Ujala report, Maninder Singh who works with Shaheed Bhagat Singh Brigade organization had also requested Modi Government to do something on this front. On July 3, 2014 Singh along with other activists had submitted a memorandum to the BJP government. They had asked for martyrs status along with national museum for these patriots.

These activists had also requested to arrange education facilities to kins of these freedom fighters. Report says that on March 14 this year, Government replied but didn't assure that it will take some tangible steps on the matter.

Disappointed Maninder Singh said that the Government told him that their suggestions will be looked upon. Reportedly, file has been closed by the Modi Government also.

Singh said that Government still has the same British record where they were mere 'terrorists'. This should be changed so that the future generations could remember them as 'valiant' son of the soil.

PM Modi paid tribute

Earlier in the day , Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid rich tributes to Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru on their martyrdom day.

"On their martyrdom day, I pay my respects to Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru who sacrificed their life for the nation," he said in a statement."Tributes to these great patriots," the Prime Minister said.

Delhi Chief Minister also said that the day should be remembered as "Desh Divas" (National Day). "I appeal to the countrymen to celebrate this day as Desh Diwas", Arvind Kejriwal said.

Awarded the death sentence for killing Superintendent of Police

Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were tried for killing British Superintendent of Police Saunders on December 17, 1928, and were awarded the death sentence.

They were hanged in the Central Jail at Lahore on March 23, 1931.

OneIndia News