The city held a function on the occasion of Shaheedi Diwas yesterday to commemorate 90 years of the execution of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar and Shivaram Rajguru by the hands of the British.

Delhi government put up a light and sound show to pay homage to the iconic leader in Central Park, Connaught Place.

Minister of General Administration Department Shri Gopal Rai addressed the Shaheedi Diwas function. Shri Rai said that we need to learn from Shaheed Bhagat Singh and stand up to the ideals of Democracy.

Mr.Rai added, “Today, through this light and sound show, I want all of you to become familiar with patriots like Shaheed Bhagat Singh. During India’s freedom movement, there were two schools of thought. The one that used to appease the British rulers for their own benefits and was against the growth of India. And the second school that wanted equal rights and freedom for all. This school wanted a new India–one that is free and believes in equality.”

“The British rulers portrayed India’s great patriots as people with differences amongst themselves. The British wanted to divide people like Dr BR Ambedkar, GandhiJi, Shaheed Bhagat Singh and others. In 1947 when India got its freedom, it also got divided. If there really was a divide between Dr Ambedkar and GandhiJi, the nation would have been divided into many more segments. Dr Ambedkar fought against the caste system, against the British, he fought for the betterment of India. GandhiJi’s battle too was against the British, and also for equality. These great souls wished for a free India where everyone would have equal rights”, he added.