ISLAMABAD: The Indu Mitha group screened a documentary and put on a theatrical performance titled Indelible – Bhagat Singh at the open air theatre in Lok Virsa on Saturday to remember the unsung hero of the subcontinent on the eve of Independence Day.

The audience was first shown a 32-minute documentary by the same name which was followed by a 45-minute play. The documentary and play were produced and directed by Hafeez Chachar and Zainab Dar.

The documentary explored how the younger generation perceive Bhaghat Singh in terms of belonging to this part of the subcontinent and in terms of religion.

The documentary showed how Bhagat Singh was a hero of the subcontinent who fought for everyone’s freedom, irrespective of religion and how he is not mentioned in most historical accounts in the country.

It starts with the campaign for naming Shadman Chowk in Lahore to Bhagat Singh Chowk, where he was hanged by the British nearly a century ago.

The documentary said Pakistani right wing parties opposed this idea and threatened campaigners and even carried out physical attacks against those wanting Bhagat Singh to be recognised as a hero.

It included interviews with noted historians, journalists and locals of areas near Shadman Chowk and analysts who talked about Bhagat Singh’s life. Also featured in the film were images of him, his house and letters he had written.

The play shows Bhagat Singh visiting Layallpur (Faisalabad), which was his birth place, to see how people are enjoying independence, for which him and his friends had sacrificed their lives.

The play touches on how Bhagat Singh’s struggle was for everyone regardless of their religion, his significance in history and how most of the younger generation do not know about him.

The play ends with a child recognising him and calling him a hero. Disappointed and sad that Muslims did not acknowledge his sacrifices and that many did not know about him, Bhagat Singh asks the child how he knows of him to which the child points to the audience and says my parents and elders told me about you and other heroes.

Talking to Dawn, director of the play and producer of the documentary Zainab Dar said both productions aimed to create awareness about our unsung heroes.

“Bhagat Singh became an atheist during his freedom fight as he was not struggling for the freedom of those following a particular religion. We cannot deny his role in achieving independence just because he was not Muslim. He should be recognised as the son of this soil and a chapter on him should be included in our curriculum.”

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2016