LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday sought replies from provincial and district governments on a petition seeking contempt proceedings for not deciding a plea for naming Shadman Chowk after freedom fighter Bhagat Singh who was hanged at the same square by British rulers.

Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation Chairman Imtiaz Rashid Qureshi filed the petition questioning the non-implementation of a 2018 order passed by the court.

Petitioner’s counsel Khalid Zaman Kakar argued that the high court had ordered the respondents to decide, as per law, an application by his client for naming Shadman Chowk after Bhagat Singh.

He said the respondents failed to comply with the order despite the lapse of six years.

He asked the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the respondents.

Justice Shams Mahmood Mirza sought replies from the chief secretary of Punjab and deputy commissioner of Lahore on the petition by April 26.

In the main petition, the petitioner contended that Bhagat Singh was a freedom fighter of the subcontinent and gave his life along with his companions for the cause. He said Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had also paid tribute to Singh saying there had never been any such brave person in the subcontinent like Bhagat Singh.

He pleaded that it would be in the interest of justice to name Shadman Chowk after Bhagat Singh and also install a statue of the great freedom fighter at the square as to inspire the people of Pakistan and the world.

He said there were many roads and thoroughfares in neighbouring India named after Muslim rulers like Akbar Road, Shah Jahan Road and Bahadar Shah Road.

He pointed out that India also published tickets with the image of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the founder of Aligarh University, and his statue was also installed there.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2024