Shaheed Diwas: Death anniversary of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar and Shivaram Rajguru

Every year on March 23rd, India celebrates Shaheed Diwas, also known as Martyrs’ Day, to remember the martyrs who gave their lives so that India may be free. On this day in 1931, three Indian freedom fighters—Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Shivaram Rajguru—were executed.

India has a two-minute moment of silence on Shaheed Diwas to honour the sacrifice of these three outstanding freedom warriors and all the other martyrs who gave their life for the country. At their various monuments in Delhi, the president, vice president, and prime minister of India pay honour to these outstanding freedom heroes.

Moreover, it is customary to plan processions, marches, and demonstrations on this day around the nation. Also, special events are held in schools and universities to recognise the anniversary and inform pupils of the martyrs’ efforts. The day serves as a reminder to the Indian people of the importance of freedom and the sacrifices made by the country’s liberation warriors.

To honour Mahatma Gandhi Ji, Martyrs’ Day is notably marked on January 30 in India. Gandhi was killed by Nathuram Godse on January 30, 1948, in Birla House’s grounds.

History

Members of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), a revolutionary group that supported armed resistance to British colonial authority in India, including Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Shivaram Rajguru. Young Indians were motivated by their sacrifice to fight for the nation’s independence from colonial oppression.

On October 30, 1928, Lala Lajpat Rai organised a nonviolent demonstration under the banner “Simon, Go Back” in opposition to Sir John Simon’s visit to Lahore. Despite the fact that the protest was non-violent, James A. Scott, the superintendent of police, gave the order for the police to deploy batons to scatter the demonstrators. Tragically, Lala Lajpat Rai died as a result of his injuries.

Young revolutionary freedom warriors Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev made the decision to kill James Scott when Lala Lajpat Rai passed away. They assassinated John P. Saunders instead, another superintendent of police, who they had erroneously identified.

Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev intended to attack the Central Legislative Assembly and stop the passage of the Public Safety Bill and the Trade Dispute Act in an effort to exact revenge for Lala Lajpat Rai’s demise. They attempted to bomb the Central Legislative Assembly on April 8, 1929, but were apprehended. The three were thus given death sentences. They were executed on March 23, 1931, when they were 23, 24, and 22 years old, respectively.