New Delhi, March 22: Every year, ‘Martyrs’ Day’ serves as a poignant reminder that India‘s freedom was achieved through sacrifice and courage. The country’s struggle for independence saw many young revolutionaries who dedicated themselves to the cause of freedom, with the names of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev standing out prominently.
On March 23, the nation commemorates the sacrifices of these three extraordinary revolutionaries, who were executed by the British. These heroes chose a different path from Mahatma Gandhi, driven by their deep love for their country.
The powerful words of Bhagat Singh resonate even today: “The love for my country will not die even after my death; the fragrance of my soil will always remind of my homeland.” His bravery inspired a generation, instilling a sense of patriotism that continues to ignite the spirit of freedom.
Bhagat Singh, a true revolutionary who popularized the slogan ‘Inquilab Zindabad’, sacrificed his youth on the altar of revolution. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13, 1919, profoundly influenced his ideology, igniting a fierce hatred for the British in his heart at just 12 years of age. In retaliation for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai during the protests against the Simon Commission, Bhagat Singh and his associates assassinated British officer Saunders.
On April 8, 1929, Bhagat Singh and his comrade Batukeshwar Dutt threw bombs in the Delhi Assembly, not fleeing the scene but willingly surrendering to the authorities. Bhagat Singh spent nearly two years in prison, during which he wrote extensively and kept the flame of revolutionary thought alive.
Alongside him in the fight for independence were Rajguru, also known as Shivaram Hari Rajguru, and Sukhdev, or Sukhdev Thapar. The bond among these three young patriots was strengthened by their shared ideology and commitment to the nation’s freedom. They faced the British with unwavering resolve and, with dreams of independence in their hearts, bravely ascended the gallows.
On March 23, 1931, all three were executed in Lahore Jail. Their sacrifices remind us that there are times when the call for sacrifice is paramount. Whenever India takes pride in its freedom, it bows its head in reverence to these great souls.