December 26 marks the birth anniversary of Shaheed Udham Singh. Born on December 26, 1899, at Sunam in the Sangrur district of Punjab, Udham Singh was the great freedom fighter and revolutionary.
Several politicians including Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh paid tribute to Udham Singh on his Birth Anniversary.
“I join the nation in paying tribute to Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Udham Singh Ji on his Birth Anniversary. Udham Singh Ji’s sacrifice and courage will forever inspire us and we remain eternally indebted to him,” wrote Captain Amarinder Singh.
I join the nation in paying tribute to Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Udham Singh Ji on his Birth Anniversary. Udham Singh Ji’s sacrifice and courage will forever inspire us and we remain eternally indebted to him. pic.twitter.com/TPm8kPghe9
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) December 26, 2020
Udham Singh and Jallianwala Bagh massacre
On April 13, 1919, a group of British soldiers under the leadership of Reginald Dyer opened fire at unarmed civilians taking part in a peaceful protest at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar; official figures then estimated the death toll at 379 and 1,200 wounded, though local residents claim the casualty figure was far higher.
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre is considered a symbol of colonial cruelty and a turning point in the Indian freedom struggle, with its focus shifting from seeking better conditions for the native population to full independence.
O’Dwyer was the lieutenant governor of Punjab at the time of the incident. He had endorsed Reginald Dyer’s action at Jallianwala Bagh, making it clear that he felt Dyer’s orders to shoot at the crowds was correct. Angered by the incident, Udham Singh assassinated Michael O’ Dwyer in revenge for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar in 1919.
Singh was subsequently tried and convicted of murder and hanged in July 1940.
Source: Free Press Journal
