Tripti Nath/New Delhi

Amritpal Singh, the radical pro Khalistan Sikh leader from Punjab, has risked the wrath of many Indians by labelling revolutionary leader Bhagat Singh ‘’ a traitor”. His anti Bhagat Singh remarks which were in circulation on Shaheed Diwas on March 23, were nullified by Punjab government's glowing tribute to Bhagat Singh in his village, khatkar Kalan.

This 30 year- old Indian Khalistan leader from Jallupur Khera in Punjab's Amritsar district, has been declared a fugitive by Punjab Police. Amritpal who projects himself as a follower of Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale, was supposedly last seen in Haryana’s Kurukshetra, Punjab Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) Sukhchain Singh Gill said on Thursday.

A video in circulation shows Amritpal Singh standing with a supporter. Surrounded by yellow Khalistan flags, Amritpal Singh is seen screaming aloud in Punjabi, “ Bhagat Singh was a traitor who proved that the Sikhs are terrorists. Till now, we have been told that Bhagat Singh was a martyr but that is the not the case. How was he a martyr?”

The timing of the video is crucial as it has surfaced around Martyr’s Day or Shaheed Diwas which is observed on March 23 to commemorate the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Shivram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar who were hanged to death by the Britishers.

In another video clip of an interview to Mandeep Punia, an independent journalist in Amritsar in October, 2022, Amritpal Singh, Chief Waris, Punjab De, says, “We respect what he (Bhagat Singh) has done but we cannot make him our idol. Bhagat Singh is not any sacred entity who we cannot question.”

Amritpal Singh goes on to ask how Bhagat Singh’s violence is justified but the violence of Sikh movement is not justified. “ Bhagat Singh was a revolutionary but he cannot be our idol. We reserve the right to decide whether or not we want to make him our idol. The problem was with his idea.’’

Singh further alleged that Bhagat Singh has written articles in which he has criticized Punjabi dialect. The sacrifice and rebelliousness of Bhagat Singh does echo the voice of Punjab. It can represent the Sikhs of Punjab. He was a revolutionary but he lacked diversity of ideas.’’

The Punjab government’s glowing tribute to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru and Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar on Martyrs’ Day has nullified the irresponsible remarks made by the separatist leader.

Likewise, Sukhbir Singh Badal, Shiromani Akali Dal President and member of Parliament from Ferozepur urged media to stop the ongoing vilification campaign against the patriotic Sikh community. He tweeted, " I urge media especially national electronic media to stop the ongoing vilification campaign against patriotic Sikh community. This is our country. We have shed blood for its freedom and defence. We need no certifcate on patriotism from anyone.''

In another tweet in Punjabi, the SAD President paid tribute to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar. He said, " These steadfast and revolutionary warriors who sacrified themselves in the war of freedom will always keep the flame of patriotism burning in our hearts.''

Badal tweeted-

ਸ਼ਹੀਦ ਭਗਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ,ਰਾਜਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਅਤੇ ਸੁਖਦੇਵ ਥਾਪਰ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਹੀਦੀ ਦਿਵਸ 'ਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਲਾਸਾਨੀ ਸ਼ਹਾਦਤ ਨੂੰ ਸਨਿਮਰ ਸ਼ਰਧਾਂਜਲੀ। ਜੰਗ-ਏ-ਆਜ਼ਾਦੀ 'ਚ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪ ਕੁਰਬਾਨ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਇਹ ਦ੍ਰਿੜ ਤੇ ਕ੍ਰਾਂਤੀਕਾਰੀ ਸੂਰਬੀਰ ਸਦਾ ਸਾਡੇ ਦਿਲਾਂ 'ਚ ਦੇਸ਼ ਭਗਤੀ ਦੀ ਚਿਣਗ ਜਗਾਉਂਦੇ ਰਹਿਣਗੇ। #23March1931 #ShaheediDiwas pic.twitter.com/xSkzC4P6q1

— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) March 23, 2023

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday gave a clarion call to the people to extend support and cooperation to the state government for realising the dreams of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

The Chief Minister, who paid floral tribute to Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh at his native village in Khatkar Kalan here, said this day "reminds us of the supreme sacrifice made by this great hero at the altar of motherland".

He said the martyrdom of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru and Shaheed Sukhdev will ever inspire "us to rise against any form of injustice, tyranny and oppression".

He said the state government is leaving no stone unturned for cherishing the aspirations of the great martyrs.

The Chief Minister said the government is committed to cherish the aspirations of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and carve out a harmonious and egalitarian society. He said the young hero of freedom struggle had sacrificed his life at a young age for emancipating the country from clutches of foreign imperialism.

The Chief Minister said the Vidhan Sabha had on Wednesday passed a resolution for carving out Punjab of the dreams of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, and Shaheed Sukhdev. He said the government has decided to construct a heritage street here at the native village of Shaheed-e-Aazam Bhagat Singh to showcase the glorious contribution of Punjab and Punjabis in national freedom struggle.

He said this 850-m-long heritage street will be constructed from the existing museum to the ancestral house at Shaheed Bhagat Singh at Khatkar Kalan. Mann said this street will highlight the glorious contribution of the state to the national freedom struggle and inspire the youth to work zealously for the country.