Shaheed Diwas 2018: 'They can crush my body, but they will not be able to crush my spirit'

Shaheed Diwas or Martyr’s Day is observed across the country on March 23 every year. The date marks the death anniversaries of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru. The three were hanged in Lahore jail on March 23, 1931.

The three freedom fighters played a crucial role in helping the country gain independence from the British rule.

Although Bhagat Singh was just 23-year-old when he sacrificed his life for the country, his life and freedom struggle continued to inspire and motivate the citizens of the country to this date.

Today, on the occasion of 87^th Martyrs’s Day, we bring some lesser known facts about the journey of the unforgettable trio and highlights of what led to their fate.

1. After the death of their beloved and another hero for India, Lala Lajpat Rai, the trio got inspired to fight for freedom. Lala Lajpat Rai lost his life due to injuries while protesting against Simon Commission.
2. In 1928, Chandrashekhar Azad, Rajguru, Sukhdev locked in the idea to get revenge of Lala Rai’s death.
3. The trio decided to take on the three British officers who were behind the orders of Lathi charging Rai. However, they shot John Saunders by mistake in 1928.
4. Bhagat Singh with ally Batukeshwar Dutt threw crude bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi, while protesting against Public Safety Bill and Trade Dispute Act on April 8, 1929.
5. The bombs did not kill anyone but injured a few. The duo did not believe in escaping as they stood there and shouted slogans like ‘Inquilab Zindabad’.
6.  "It is easy to kill individuals but you cannot kill the ideas. Great empires crumbled while the ideas survived," read one of the pamphlets which Singh threw at the people attending the Legislative Assembly.
7. Bhagat Singh was at first arrested for bombing.
8. Sukhdev and Rajguru were arrested for Lahore conspiracy case in December 1928.
9. Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar were initially supposed to be hanged on March 24 but were hanged a day earlier on March 23, 1931.
10. Their bodies were cremated near Sutlej River.

They inspired generations to come with not only their will to fight against the British but with their words too. The youngsters were martyred 16 years before India got Independence and their contribution cannot be measured in words. 

Here are some famous quotes by Bhagat Singh which still inspire millions: 

• Today in the times of communal fracas, we recall some of the inspirational quotes by Bhagat Singh, who initiated the idea of radical revolution in pre-independence India.Every tiny molecule of Ash is in motion with my heat I am such a Lunatic that I am free even in Jail.
• They may kill me, but they cannot kill my ideas. They can crush my body, but they will not be able to crush my spirit.
• It is easy to kill individuals but you cannot kill the ideas. Great empires crumbled while the ideas survived.
• Any man who stands for progress has to criticize, disbelieve and challenge every item of the old faith. Item by item he has to reason out every nook and corner of the prevailing faith.
• Love always elevates the character of a man. It never lowers him, provided love be love.
• Lovers, Lunatics and poets are made of same stuff.
• I emphasize that I am full of ambition and hope and of full charm of life. But I can renounce all at the time of need, and that is the real sacrifice.
• The bomb was necessary to awaken England from her dreams. We dropped the bomb on the floor of the assembly chamber to register our protest on behalf of those who had no other means left to give expression to their heart-rending agony. Our sole purpose was to make the deaf hear and give the heedless a timely warning.
• The aim of life is no more to control the mind, but to develop it harmoniously.