Punjab Govt committed to freedom fighters’ dreams: CM Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday said the AAP Government is firmly committed to fulfilling the dreams of the freedom fighters who made supreme sacrifices for the nation.

During a state-level function here to commemorate the 87th martyrdom day of Shaheed Udham Singh, Mann said the legendary revolutionary’s unparalleled patriotism and supreme sacrifice would continue to inspire generations to serve the nation selflessly and the nation would forever remain indebted to the iconic martyr.

Earlier, the chief minister paid floral tributes and laid a wreath at the memorial in honour of Shaheed Udham Singh. Mann also posted on X to pay tribute to Shaheed Udham Singh. “On the martyrdom day of the great revolutionary Shaheed Udham Singh Ji, who avenged the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, I pay my humble tributes to him. His unparalleled sacrifice for the honour and dignity of the nation will forever remain a great source of inspiration for all of us.”

Addressing the gathering here, Mann said Shaheed Udham Singh made the supreme sacrifice for the freedom of our country. It was a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for him to be part of the solemn occasion to pay tribute to the iconic martyr, he added.

He said India’s freedom struggle witnessed countless sacrifices by brave sons and daughters of the nation who laid down their lives to free the country and pave the way for an egalitarian society committed to the welfare of the weaker and underprivileged sections.

The chief minister said, “Today, we have gathered here to express our highest gratitude to this great patriot while commemorating the day on which Shaheed Udham Singh embraced martyrdom. He avenged the dastardly act committed by the erstwhile British Government at Jallianwala Bagh, where hundreds of unarmed and innocent Indians were mercilessly shot dead under the administration of the then Lieutenant Governor of (undivided) Punjab, Michael O’Dwyer.

“Shaheed Udham Singh ensured that Michael O’Dwyer was brought to justice at Caxton Hall in London.”

Udham Singh avenged the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919 by shooting down Michael O’Dwyer, the then lieutenant governor of undivided Punjab, on March 13, 1940.

Udham Singh was hanged at the age of 40 at the Pentonville Prison in London on July 31, 1940.

Paying rich tributes to Shaheed Udham Singh at the Udham Singh Memorial in the local stadium, the chief minister laid a wreath at the memorial of the legendary martyr.

Mann noted, “This is a sacred place where people from across the country and around the world come to pay homage and draw inspiration from the extraordinary life of Shaheed Udham Singh. This true son of the soil displayed exemplary courage by eliminating Michael O’Dwyer, the principal perpetrator of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.”

He further said the supreme sacrifice made by the son of the soil in the national freedom struggle strengthened India’s resolve to overthrow British imperialism.

“The unparalleled sacrifice of Shaheed Udham Singh will continue to inspire our youth to dedicate themselves to selfless service of the nation. Our country will always remain indebted to this iconic martyr who laid down his life for the motherland,” Mann said.