Shaheed Diwas: What Happened With Bhagat Singh That Led To His Trial And Death Sentence

Every year, the nation pays tribute to Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Shivaram Rajguru on March 23, observed as Shaheed Diwas. Although no public gathering, events to pay respect to these martyrs will be held today, the first time in several decades due to the nationwide coronavirus lockdown. Let's take a moment to know what happened that led to the hanging of these freedom fighters even in self-isolation is always welcome.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to pay tribute to Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru "Thousand salutes to the great sons of mother India, Veer Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru. The country will forever stay grateful for their efforts, sacrifice for the country. Jai Hind!," said PM Modi in a tweet in Hindi.

What were the charges pressed against Bhagat Singh

Bhagat Singh along with other revolutionaries was hanged along with revolutionaries Rajguru and Sukhdev on March 23 in 1931 after being sentenced to death in the historical Lahore conspiracy case. On April 8, 1929, Bhagat Singh along with contemporary Batukeshwar Dutt threw a low-intensity bomb at the Central Legislative Assembly. As the explosion rocked the proceedings of the Assembly, they surrendered to police themselves.  The trial began soon after and Bhagat Singh was charged with false allegations of firing gunshots. He was sentenced to 14 years in jail but soon was linked with another case, murder of John P Saunders and his head constable known as Lahore conspiracy case.

The entire case about Bhagat Singh is considered flawed by several historians.  As Bhagat Singh started gaining popularity at the jail over his protests of betting conditions of the inmates, the Britsih government lost patience and arranged for a special tribunal to pronounce the three 'guilty' of the murder of Saunders and his staff. 

Bhagat Singh became an inspiration for generations to come.