‘Shaheed Diwas’ or Martyr’s Day is commemorated every year on March 23 to remember the indelible sacrifice made by the freedom fighters and revolutionary leaders Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar, who were hanged to death at the Lahore Central Jail in 1931 by the British rulers.

This day, March 23 remains a dark day in Indian history, however, it reminds every Indian citizen of the great, heroic and patriotic sacrifice of our people to liberate the country. This day also inspires us to value freedom and honour their life and work.

‘History of heroic sacrifice of Bhagat Singh & his associates’

In 1928, the Simon Commission came to India, in order to decide on the governance of India. On October 30, Indian freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai led a protest against them in Lahore. Amid of the patriotic protest, the Police Superintendent, James A. Scott ordered a baton charge on the protesters and severely assaulted Lajpat Rai. A few days after this, an injured Lala Lajpat Rai died on November 17, 1928.

Bhagat Singh witnessed the brutal assault on Lajpat Rai. He along with his associate, Shivaram Rajguru decided to kill Scott as revenge for Rai’s death. However, they mistakenly shot Assistant Superintendent of Police, John Saunders, on December 17, 1928. Chandra Sekhar Azad was with them at the time. He shot Police constable Chanan Singh to stop him from chasing Bhagat Singh and Rajguru. The constable bled to death. All three evaded arrest.

On April 8, 1929, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt exploded two bombs inside the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi and raised the slogan of “Inquilab Zindabad!” (Long live the revolution). It was meant as a protest against the Public Safety Bill and the Trade Dispute Act. Both the freedom fighters did not intend to kill anyone, but some assembly members were injured.

Bhagat Singh was given a life sentence. However, his involvement in the Saunders’ murder was discovered and the three folk heroes of the independence, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were given the death sentence.

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Tribute to unparalleled sacrifice of leaders

To remember their unmatched zeal, spirit and enthusiasm to free India, several events are organized across India in a bid to pay tribute to the iconic freedom fighters.

Several leaders took to their social media to pay their tributes on the martyrdom day of the iconic heroes. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya were among the leaders who paid their respects.

Taking to Twitter, one of the users has shared the arrest warrant of the revolutionary leader Bhagat Singh to pay tribute to his sacrifice.