CM Bhagwant Mann Says BJP Didn't Agree Bharat Ratna Demand for Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev

Ferozepur:  On the martyrdom day of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann paid tributes at the National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala and also laid the foundation stone of a Rs 24.99-crore Hussainiwala Heritage Complex to boost tourism and preserve the revolutionaries’ legacy. 

What did Mann say?

Recalling the glorious legacy of the country's great revolutionaries, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the occasion is not only a time to remember the sacrifices of these heroes,  but also to imbibe their ideals of courage, justice and selfless service. 

He reiterated his resolve to serve Punjab and the nation in accordance with the noble vision of the martyrs and also questioned the lack of Bharat Ratna (the highest civilian honour) for these great freedom fighters. He said that if the reins of the country had been in the hands of such courageous youth in the early years of independence, India would have been a different picture.

What did Mann say about martyrs?

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said, "The greedy and selfish leaders of this country built stadiums in their own names while they were alive, but no one has come forward to honor true martyrs like Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, and Shaheed Sukhdev." The Chief Minister added, "These great revolutionaries sacrificed their lives at a young age, but after independence, power-hungry people seized power and took credit for the bloody freedom they never fought for."

He said, "Only flowers remain to remember Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev and Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, while others falsely claim the legacy of independence and become prominent." The Chief Minister said, "Those great warriors were hanged early only to silence them, as people were rallying behind their fearless ideas."

What did Mann say about freedom?

Referring to the price of independence, the Chief Minister said, "No one can even imagine how costly our independence was. Nearly 1 million people lost their lives during Partition and millions were displaced." He added, "Our elders made immense sacrifices, but those in power have failed to understand this pain, as they inherited a nation built on the sacrifices of the martyrs."

The Chief Minister said, "Some ungrateful leaders are now claiming that India only achieved real independence in 2014, which is a grave insult to our martyrs." He added, "It is shocking that some people present Shaheed Bhagat Singh only as a 'social worker' and do not recognize him as a martyr. Who are these people issuing such certificates?"

Is Martyrs an inspiration for generations?

Calling on people to draw inspiration from the martyrs, he said, “Today is a day to remember these great heroes, to read and listen to their inspiring stories, which will continue to inspire generations to come.” The Chief Minister reiterated that political priorities have long been misplaced. He said, “Political leaders installed their own statues and built stadiums in their own names while they were alive, but no one thought of honoring great martyrs like Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, and Shaheed Sukhdev.”

He further said that it is extremely unfortunate that we had to struggle to name Mohali Airport after Shaheed Bhagat Singh as the Central Government repeatedly ignored our demands, but ultimately with our persistent efforts we were successful in naming it in his honour.

Is Halwara airport built in the name of martyr Kartar Singh Sarabha?

He further stated that Halwara Airport is being named after Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, whom Shaheed Bhagat Singh considered his mentor. He added that if Bhagat Singh had become Prime Minister after the first general elections in 1952, the picture of the country would have been completely different. Today, a 35-year-old youth has become Prime Minister in Nepal. If youth were entrusted with leadership here too, India would have become a leading nation in the world.

The Chief Minister said that remembering martyrs should not be a mere formality. He said that people remember Bhagat Singh only on his birth or martyrdom day, whereas he belonged not just to one family but to the entire nation. He said that if we follow his ideals, no one can stop Punjab from becoming prosperous again.

What is the history full of sacrifices?

He said that our history is full of sacrifices, and our great teachers have always taught us to stand up against injustice and oppression. It is unfortunate that we are forgetting these sacrifices. We memorize facts for exams, but fail to understand their ideas.

Recalling the life of this great martyr, he said that Bhagat Singh chose the path of revolution over his personal life and left home even on the day of his engagement. He said that he feels sad when people put his picture on vehicles and say that he will return. The Chief Minister said that instead of waiting for his return, we should follow his path and serve the country. He said that in today's times, there is no need for bombs and weapons; rather, the power of the vote is the greatest power, and by electing the right leaders, people can bring about real change.

Why is it necessary to follow the path shown by the martyrs?

Appealing to the people to take a pledge, he said, "Let us resolve to follow the path of the martyrs and build our Punjab with our own hands." He said that this sacred land of Hussainiwala, where Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were cremated by the British, will continue to inspire generations to selfless service.

The Chief Minister said he was privileged to visit this sacred site and pay tribute to the martyr who sacrificed his life for the nation's independence at the age of 23. He said his government would leave no stone unturned to realize the dreams of Bhagat Singh, and the nation would forever be indebted to him.

How sacrifice of the martyrs inspired countless youth?

He said that the sacrifices of these martyrs inspired countless young people to join the freedom struggle and will continue to inspire millions to selflessly serve the nation. He called on the youth to follow their path to build a progressive and prosperous India.

Earlier, while laying the foundation stone of the Hussainiwala Heritage Complex, the Chief Minister said that this project, costing Rs 24.99 crore, is a humble effort to pay tribute to our great martyrs and preserve their legacy for future generations. He added that the project aims to develop the heritage area in Hussainiwala and promote tourism in Punjab.

Detailing the project, he said the complex will include a grand entrance, galleries dedicated to the lives of martyrs, murals, beautification and landscaping of parks and memorial sites. Furthermore, theme-based paintings related to historical events, a 3-D mapping show on the Old Bridge, a musical fountain, a play area for children, a rest area for senior citizens, an on-grid solar power plant, and an RO plant for clean drinking water will also be installed.