Like every year when India was paying tributes to Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru on March 23, in Pakistan ignoring threats issued by a section of extremists, scores of people assembled at Lahore’s Fawara Chowk to attend the main event organised by the Bhagat Singh Foundation. The Lahore High Court had ordered the police to provide police protection to the event. The activists demanded Britain should pay compensation for the “unjust killings.” The civil society members also held a candle light vigil to remember the sacrifices of the freedom fighters. The three martyrs, died for the cause of India subcontinent when British government hanged them in Lahore Central Jail and not for Pakistan and India. This is one reason today also after so much of hatred between the two countries, the civil society from both sides have respect for the sacrifices of the people which paved way for the wiping out of British colonialism from the continent. On the contrary India observed martyrdom with just customary tribute paying ceremonies. The Pakistan Foundation for long has been demanding renaming Shadman Chowk after Bhagat Singh. Very few people like Bhagat Singh and his comrades were born in a century and their great sacrifice would always be remembered. The Dyal Singh Research and Cultural Forum also held a separate function at the Dyal Singh Auditorium, Lahore to pay tributes to the three freedom fighters. The modern day pseudo ‘freedom fighters’ should learn some lessons from the sacrifices of these martyrs who only had nation in their mind and not any pecuniary benefits. There is surge of interest in the life and thoughts of Bhagat Singh which India should revive so that modern day youngsters should know the value of freedom and the cost paid for it.
