Bhagat Singh, Rajguru And Sukhdev Are Referred As “Terrorists”.

[JANASENA]

84 years have passed since Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged to death on March 23, 1931, but still they havent got their due in India. A book published by Goyal Brothers Prakashan and written by DN Kundra has a chapter — Revival of Terrorism — in which Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal have been referred to as “militants and extremists”, while Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev as “terrorists”. This book was used to teach Std-X history and civics Part-II in ICSE schools. Lakhs of students in India study under ICSE board. In 2010, A Delhi court directed Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) to remove defamatory references to freedom-fighters in its history and civic book from the next academic session.

In UPSC's civil services exam, held on October 26, 2007, candidates were asked to evaluate the contribution of "revolutionary terrorism represented by Bhagat Singh".

Meanwhile, in Pakisthan, when religious fundamentalism is trying to bulldoze every minority in Pakistan and whitewash history and memories, we find a tiny secular, progressive and democratic minority in Lahore, which believes in common Punjabi heritage and culture and has tried to reclaim the legacy of Bhagat Singh, the non-Muslim hero who lived and died in the walled city. For most, Shadman Chowk is just a footnote in history, but it isn't just that. For, that was where Bhagat Singh was hanged along with Rajguru and Sukhdev. To keep memories of that sacrifice alive in a country that has been shying away from recognizing Bhagat Singh as its martyr, activists have been demanding that it be renamed as Bhagat Singh chowk. One of those spearheading the struggle is Diep Saeeda, founder director of Lahore-based NGO Institute for Peace and Secular Studies (IPSS). We will fight to the finish - they say.

Vande Mataram !