FAISALABAD: The death anniversary of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh was observed at his birthplace in Chak 105-GB, Banga Chak, Jaranwala, on Wednesday.

Singh was hanged in Lahore along with companions Raj Guru and Sukhdev on March 23, 1931.

People from different walks of life attended the ceremony and paid homage to Singh for his struggle for freedom.

Iqbal Virk, owner of the Bhagat Singh Haveli, told Dawn that Singh’s struggle was becoming popular among the youth as they often asked him about the background of Singh and his companions. He said the district government had recently preserved two rooms of the haveli that Singh stayed in. He said the pictures of Singh and his fellows had been displayed in two rooms that attracted people.

Shakoor Ahmed, a participant at the ceremony, said the government must organise events in honour of Singh on the eve of Pakistan Day as he (Bhagat Singh) and his fellows had paved the way for freedom. He said the British had ruled the subcontinent and suppressed the voice of Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims and other communities. People like Bhagat Singh had challenged the writ of the British Raj only for freedom and sacrificed their lives, he added.

Another participant, Mohsin Nadeem, said it was condemnable that the district government did not bother to arrange a function to pay homage to Singh. He said the government must arrange visits of university and college students on death and birth anniversaries of Singh.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2016