Martyrs Day 2022: Every year 23 March is observed as Martyrs’ Day to remember the sacrifices made by Indian freedom fighters and others to gain independence from British rule.
Martyrs’ Day is also celebrated on 30 January, the day the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse in 1947.
Martyrs Day 2022: History
The British government established the Simon Commission in 1928 under the chairmanship of John Simon, which was boycotted because no Indian was involved in the commission. When the commission visited Lahore on October 30, 1928, it found slogans of “Simon go back!”, black flags and a non-violent march led by Lala Lajpat Rai.
Superintendent of Police James A Scott ordered a lathi-charge on the protesters and Lala Lajpat Rai was beaten to death by the police. Bhagat Singh witnessed this incident and vowed to take revenge with Rajguru and Sukhdev.
All three youths threw explosives On April 8, 1929, Assistant Superintendent of Police John Saunders was executed in the Central Legislative Assembly with the slogan “Inquilab Zindabad” and mistakenly for Scott.
On March 23, 1931, the three men were convicted and hanged in the Lahore Jail.
Martyrs Day 2022: Significance
When the three youths were sentenced to death, Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev Thapar were 23 years old while Shivram Rajguru was just 22 years old.
His sacrifice had inspired many other youths to come forward and fight for their motherland.
Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev continue to inspire many young Indians even today to serve their motherland in the best possible way.
It was the valor of these three people that they sacrificed their lives to get freedom for the country and that is why the country celebrates Martyr’s Day every year on 23 March to honor their sacrifice.