SAD, AAP MPs call on LS Speaker, want martyrs’ day to be holiday

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 22

A joint delegation of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and AAP MPs on Thursday met Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and urged to declare Martyrs’ Day as national holiday in memory of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru.

The delegation comprised Prem Singh Chandumajra, SS Dhindsa, Naresh Gujral, Ranjit Singh Brahampura and Harinder Singh Khalsa.

The delegation urged Mahajan to earmark the seats in the Public Gallery which were occupied by Bhagat Singh and his associate BK Dutt in the then Central Legislative Assembly (now Parliament House) before hurling the bomb. This would be in honour of their memories and contributions to the struggle for independence of the country. They were in occupation of the seats before hurling the bomb and dropping revolutionary pamphlets on the floor of the Assembly.

Chandumajra informed mediapersons that the delegation also requested the Speaker to earmark the spot in the Lok Sabha where the bomb hurled by Bhagat Singh and his associate had landed.

He said the Speaker gave the delegation a patient hearing.

Chandumajra said Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma would inaugurate a museum in honour of Bhagat Singh constructed at Khatkar Kalan, his native village.

Earlier, Chandumajra raised the issue during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha and made a similar request.