Officially, the only reason to remember the 23rd of March in Pakistan is associated with Pakistan Resolution Day, commemorating the Lahore Resolution passed on 23 March 1940 and the adoption of the first constitution of Pakistan during the transition of the Dominion of Pakistan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on 23 March 1956. However, it is also the death anniversary of the one of the greatest sons of Punjab, who sacrificed his life for the freedom of his people. We refer here, of course, to Bhagat Singh, who sacrificed his life today on 23 March 1931. Freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged here by the British administration at Lahore Jail on the same date (later Lahore Jail got demolished in 1961). Today, the site is located at the second roundabout on Jail Road, Shadman Town, Lahore.
Bhagat Singh was born in Banga Village, Faisalabad, on 28 September 1907. His life was spent in Faisalabad then Lyallpur and Lahore. By any standards, if he had lived today, he would be a Punjabi and Pakistani. The idea of not celebrating him as a hero in Pakistan goes back to our religious-communal backgrounds. We are people with diverse and confused affiliations, sometimes we become decedents of Indus civilization, others, we are the people of Arabia, landed with the armies of Muhammad bin Qasim. This identity crisis has always deprived us of nationhood, where we have continuously dissented with our actual national identity that is related with the land of five rivers, not with religious fanatism. One of the major reasons behind progress in the Western world is their identification of their history. Unlike our society, they are not engaged with paranoia of false history and age-old laws and traditions which strictly prohibited questioning.
Unfortunately, the people of Pakistan were never told about their actual heroes primarily because their religious and political believes were different than the majority who later acquired these lands. Undoubtedly this became a gruesome murder of history and cultural ideology. Our hist orical narratives depict Muhammad bin Qasim, Mahmud Ghanznavi, Babur and Ahmed Shah Abadli as our national historical heroes, whereas ironically, they were all ethnically non-Indians.
Bhagat Singh's revolutionary ideology was a blend of nationalism, socialism, anti-imperialism, secularism and a deep commitment to social justice and equality. His revolutionary ideology was shaped by several factors, including his exposure to various nationalist and socialist ideas, his experiences during the freedom struggle, and his observations of social and economic injustices prevalent in society. He was deeply patriotic and had a strong sense of nationalism. He believed in the idea of a free and independent India where all citizens could live with dignity and freedom from colonial oppression. He was influenced by socialist and Marxist ideologies. He believed in the need for a socialist society where wealth and resources were distributed equitably among all members, and where exploitation and inequality were eliminated.
One of his core beliefs was the need to overthrow British imperialism in India. He viewed colonial rule as a major impediment to India's progress and saw the struggle for independence to achieve social and economic justice for the Indian people. He advocated for a secular and inclusive society where people of all religions, castes, and backgrounds could coexist harmoniously. He opposed communalism and discrimination based on religion or caste, emphasizing the importance of unity among all Indians in the fight against colonialism and social injustice.
Bhagat Singh deserves far greater respect by people from where he belonged. His immolation was for the people of Punjab and today his teachings can be a ray light for oppression, immorality, suppression of human rights, injustice, and intolerance
Bhagat Singh believed in the power of young people to bring about change. He inspired and mobilized youth across India to join the freedom struggle and take an active role in fighting against British rule. While he admired Gandhi’s principles of non-violence, he also believed that revolutionary violence was sometimes necessary to achieve liberation from colonial oppression. He famously said, "The sword of revolution is sharpened on the whetting stone of ideas." He criticized capitalism for its exploitation of the working class and its role in perpetuating social inequality. He saw socialism as a more just and equitable alternative that could address the economic disparities prevalent in society.
In my opinion, Bhagat Singh deserves far greater respect by people from where he belonged. His immolation was for the people of Punjab and today his teachings can be a ray light for oppression, immorality, suppression of human rights, injustice, and intolerance. I think there was no other moment in our history as important as today to remember these forgotten heroes, who sacrificed their lives for national aspirations. In the words of Guru Gobind Singh,
سرا سو تو پہچانیے جو لڑے دین کی ہیت
پرزہ پرزہ کٹ مرے کبھو نہ چھڈے کھیت
“He alone is a brave person. The one who fights for the underprivileged.
He may get cut into pieces. But he'll never leave the battlefield”
Bhagat Singh's martyrdom at the tender age of 23 years elevated him to the status of a lion of Punjab. His legacy continues to resonate with people who fight for freedom and oppression throughout the world. He is celebrated as a symbol of bravery, patriotism, and the indomitable spirit of freedom. He was not just a revolutionary but also an intellectual. Beyond his heroic example, his writings continue to be studied and revered for their insights and relevance.