L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Do not politicise martyr’s legacy

The editorial, “Spare Bhagat Singh” (March 5) was timely and thought- provoking. I greatly appreciate The Tribune’s sensible advice to the politicians of Punjab not to politicise the immortal and glorious martyrdom of Sardar Bhagat Singh. They are busy outsmarting one another in mobilising the common people to reach Khatkar Kalan in Punjab on March 23. Sardar Bhagat Singh and his comrades Rajguru and Sukhdev had kissed the gallows on March 23, 1931 valiantly opposing the British Empire.

Shaheed Bhagat Singh is the greatest symbol of patriotism, selfless social service and supreme sacrifice in the entire Indian subcontinent.

The Tribune has actually expressed the noblest sentiments of all the sensible and patriotic people of this big country in its objective comment, “It is amazing how Bhagat Singh’s appeal has grown over the years and across the political spectrum.”

Dr RAJ BAHADUR YADAV, Fatehabad

II

The Biography of Bhagat Singh by M.M. Juneja, published in 2008, states that the family of Bhagat Singh had left its native Khatkar Kalan village in 1897 and shifted to Banga village of Lyallpur district, where Bhagat Singh was born in 1907.  A few years later his family moved to Lahore and lived in Nawankot locality. At Lahore Bhagat Singh was enrolled in Class V in DAV School, and became the first Sikh boy to be admitted to a DAV institution, and not a Khalsa School.

Ironically, the state, which organised Shaheed Bhagat Singh Punjab Games, did not realise that Bhagat Singh was not fond of sports but took part in dramas and plays.  The great revolutionary had a booming voice and was a prominent member of the dramatic club of National College, Lahore.

HARBANS SINGH VIRDI, SAS Nagar

III

What act can be more shameful than that of the Punjab politicians who are ”falling over one another in a distasteful way to cash in on the mass appeal of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.” It is disgusting that leaders of all political parties are busy mobilising their supporters to reach Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s birth place for their selfish motives of the ugly “vote-bank politics”, which has brought the nation on the brink of political disaster.

Surely, politicians are opportunists who lose no time and chance for indulging in murky politics where mudslinging is their only agenda.

On such an occasion, the politicians belonging to all shades should hold joint “Shradhanjli Samarohs” at all public places in the state.

People should be made aware of the life and teachings of such great men who sacrificed their lives. The editorial rightly concludes that while remembering the Shaheed-e-Azam, politicians should ensure that the sombre mood of martyrdom is not marred by petty political attacks.

R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh

Master strategist

In the passing away of the veteran Congress leader, Arjun Singh, the country has lost an astute politician, a master strategist and a very able administrator and a leader who dominated the political scene for 40 years (news report, March 5). Many opposition leaders respected him for his friendly nature and uncanny political sense. A man of few words, he had mastered the art of keeping the people guessing.

He chose his own moment to strike. As Governor Punjab, he astutely steered the Akalis to the negotiating table which finally resulted in an agreement between Sant Langowal and the late Rajiv Gandhi that broke the back of the Khalistan movement. His death will be widely mourned in MP and wherever he worked. May his soul rest in peace!

RJ KHURANA, Bhopal