History Imperialism Partition Reports

Pakistan: Remembering Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukh Dev on 92nd Martyrdom Day

By Revolutionary Students Front (RSF)

On 23rd March 1931 Bhagat Singh along with his comrades Sukhdev and Raj Guru were hanged, their bodies burned, mutilated and stuffed in gunny bags were thrown at the banks of River Sutlej, miles away from the Lahore Central Jail by the British Raj. Today no memorial or commemorative plaques of these heroic revolutionaries exist at the site of their execution. Yet their revolutionary legacy lives on. For more than nine decades comrade Bhagat Singh’s struggle and revolutionary inspiration have galvanized millions of youth and ordinary souls throughout the Indian Subcontinent and beyond. His revolutionary struggle became so forceful in the stormy 1920’s that the native bourgeois leaders at the helm of the national liberation movement felt threatened. His popularity was at its peak. Sir Horace Williamson, Director of British India’s Intelligence Bureau at the time, reported: “His photograph was on sale in every city and township and for a time (Bhagat Singh) rivalled in popularity of Mr Gandhi himself.”

Despite the fasting month, on the occasion of 92nd death anniversary of Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukh Dev, comrades and activists of Revolutionary Students Front (RSF), Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation (JKNSF) and Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign (PTUDC) held protest rallies, seminars and programs in different parts of the country and its administrated areas. Here we are publishing a brief report of these activities for our readers.

Lahore

On 23rd March a protest held upon the call by Progressive Students Collective at the same square, Shadman Chowk, where Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukh Dev were hanged by the British Imperialism 92 years ago. Activists of different progressive and students organizations participated in the event while Central Organiser Revolutionary Students Front (RSF) Awais Qarni, President Haqooq e Khalq Party Farooq Tariq, Leader Pashtoon Tahafuz Movement Raheem Wazir, Leader PSC Ali Raza spoke about the legacy and socialist ideology of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and paid tribute to him. Renowned Punjabi Poet Baba Najmi paid tribute to the martyrs with his poetry. The protesters demanded this square must be named “Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chowk”.

Punjab University Lahore

On 22nd March, Revolutionary Students Front (RSF) Punjab University Unit held a study circle to pay tribute to the revolutionary struggle of Bhagat Singh and his comrades. Organizer RSF-PU, Habiba led the discussion while other comrades contributed to enrich the discussion.

Rawalpindi I

On March 22nd, at Nawaz Sharif Park, Rawalpindi, Revolutionary Students Front (RSF) along with People’s Student Federation (PSF) and Haqooq Talaba Tehreek (HTT) organized a study circle titled “Why Student Politics is Important?”, in memory of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Raj Guru. In which a large number of students participated. The speakers emphasized on organizing student politics following the ideas of Bhagat Singh in the present era. Today, a vibrant student politics is the only way out of this systemic crisis and political deadlock. Today’s study circle, comprised upon the different progressive students organization, is a welcome start and this process will widely be spread in the coming days. At the end of the program, it has been decided to launch a campaign based on three basic demands of the students. i.e.  Against the ban on the student union and for the election schedule, for the 100 percent increase in the education budget, and for the formation of anti-harassment committees with the representation of students should be formed in all educational institutions. The next program of this campaign will be held at National Press Club Islamabad on April 13 on the occasion of Mashal Khan’s anniversary.

Rawalpindi II
A seminar organized by Progressive Lawyers Forum was held today on 23rd March at Sardar Ishaq Khan Hall Rawalpindi Courts to pay homage to Bhagat Singh Shaheed and his comrades. Asif Rashid, Iqtar Hussain, Shahid Langriyal, Sajid Khan Tanoli, Waqas Butt, Sajid Hussain, Jabar Kashar, Nisar Shah, Gulhar Khan, Amaral Lal, Faheem Qureshi, Saqib Mirza, Ali Asghar, Mudassar Mehboob, Zeeshan Inait, Shaukat Chaudhry, Dr Bashir, Zafar Razzaq, Sajid Amin, Abdul Sattar, Rizwan Rashid, Rabab, Ramesh, Jameel Bhatti and others offered red salute and homage to the great revolutionaries of the subcontinent.
Mirpur Khas
On the occasion of the 92nd Martyrdom Day of the great revolutionary Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his comrades to pay tribute to their struggle, a meeting was organized by RSF at Mirpurkhas office. Students and youth from various educational institutions and trade union leaders participated in the meeting and paid tribute to the revolutionary struggle of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru.
Hyderabad
On the occasion of the 92nd martyrdom anniversary of the great revolutionary Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his comrades, a meeting was organized by RSF at the Hyderabad office in which students, youth and trade union leaders from various institutions participated. Dr. Vinod Kumar, Comrade Akhtar, Ashu JP, Sarang Jam, Ameer Ali, Jabbar Subpoto and Rahul addressed during the program and paid tribute to the struggle of Comrade Bhagat Singh and his comrades.
Kahirpur Miras
A meeting was held at Nara District Khairpur Miras regarding the martyrdom anniversary of Bhagat Singh and his comrades Raj Guru and Sukh Dev to pay tribute to their eternal struggle.
Sehwan
On the occasion of the 92nd martyrdom anniversary of the great revolutionary martyr Bhagat Singh and his comrades, a seminar was organized by RSF and Unemployed Youth Movement (BNT) in Sehwan to pay tribute to their struggle. Speakers paid tribute to the struggle of Bhagat Singh and his comrades.
Talhar
On the occasion of the 92nd martyrdom anniversary of the great revolutionary Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his comrades, Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign (PTUDC) organized a study circle in Talhar to pay tribute to their struggle. The participants paid tribute to the struggle of Bhagat Singh and his comrades and said that true tribute to the struggle of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru can only be paid by completing their mission of Socialist Revolution.
Sadiqabad
A gathering has been held in Sadiqabad to pay tribute to the revolutionary struggle of Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukh Dev.
Rawalakot

On the occasion of 92nd death anniversary of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru, Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation (JKNSF) held study circle titled “Revolutionary Movements in the Subcontinent” to pay tribute the revolutionary struggle of Bhagat Singh and comrades.

Ali Sojal

Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation (JKNSF) Ali Sojal Unit organized a study circle on the 92nd birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, to pay tribute to their struggle and also discussed the role of revolutionary organization in the present era.