Centre ignoring sacrifices of Punjabis: Majithia

Chandigarh, July 27 (UNI) The Punjab Government has taken strong exception to the exclusion of major freedom struggle events launched by the Punjabis against the British from the list prepared by the Centre for commemorating the 150th anniversary of India's first war of independence launched in 1857.

These views of the state government were aired by Information and Public Relations minister Bikram Singh Majithia during the conference called by the Union Ministry of Culture at New Delhi today. HRD Minister Arjun Singh and Tourism Minister Ambika Soni were present at the conference.

In his address Mr Majithia said revolutionary events like the Gadar Movement of 1913, Jaito Morcha of 1923-24, Simon-Go-Back movement by Lala Lajpat Rai, the martyrdom of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev and the 1845 Anglo Sikh Wars did not even find a mention in the Centre's list. In this context he also referred to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the sacrifice of Shaheed Udham Singh.

He announced that the Punjab government would celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of Saheed Bhagat Singh in a befitting manner on September 28 and requested for liberal grants for the event. He also called upon the Centre to clear the pending demand of Punjab to install the statue of Saheed Bhagat Singh in Parliament immediately.

Mr Majithia requested the government to release postal stamps of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev on September 28. He was of the opinion that engraved coins in memory of the three martyrs should also be released.

UNI