State govt to pursue martyrdom status for Kartar Singh Sarabha, says Minister

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led state government is committed to securing martyrdom status for revolutionaries such as Kartar Singh Sarabha from the Union Government. This announcement was made by Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond during the concluding session of a function held at Sarabha village on Saturday.

Addressing mediapersons after paying tributes to Kartar Singh Sarabha and his associates, Sond said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had instructed government officials to expedite the process of securing martyr status for Sarabha among other freedom fighters. Sond said the file for this request has already been sent to the Union Government and the Chief Minister has urged a swift follow-up.

Sond emphasised Sarabha’s significance, noting he was India’s youngest revolutionary, sacrificing his life for the nation at the age of just 19. “We owe a great deal to him and his fellow martyrs. As a token of respect, I took up the matter of securing national martyrdom status with the officials concerned, who have been instructed by the Chief Minister to follow up without delay,” Sond said. He also highlighted how Sarabha had been a source of inspiration for his contemporaries and future generations to serve the nation selflessly.

Sond praised Sarabha’s pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle, particularly as an active leader of the Gadar Party. He noted Sarabha’s relentless efforts to fight for independence, first in foreign countries and then in his homeland.

In addition to honouring Sarabha, Sond paid tributes to six other martyrs who died alongside him in the first Lahore Conspiracy case —Vishnu Ganesh Pingley, Jagat Singh, Harnam Singh Sialkoti, Bakshish Singh, Surain Singh and Surain Singh.

Minister Sond also announced several initiatives for the village, including Rs 10 lakh for the Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha Sports Club, Rs 5 lakh for the restoration of the freedom fighter’s ancestral house and additional funds for the development of Sarabha village. He also revealed plans to add the village to the state’s tourism map.

Dr KNS Kang concluded the event by offering a vote of thanks.

Earlier, Sond and other dignitaries visited the ancestral house of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, paying floral tributes at the main village Chowk and the martyr’s memorial.