Memorial to Sikh warrior woman Mai Bhago, 40 Muktas still a distant dream after two decades

Two decades have passed since the foundation stone for the Martyrs’ Memorial, dedicated to Mai Bhago and 40 Muktas (liberated ones), was laid with much fanfare in Muktsar town.

However, not a single brick has been laid beyond that symbolic beginning on May 4, 2005, by then SAD chief Parkash Singh Badal and SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur.

The memorial was proposed to be built along Tibbi Sahib Road, directly opposite Panjab University’s Regional Centre (PURC).

The foundation stone itself has fallen over the years, and apart from holding a few meetings and making repeated assurances, nothing has been done on the ground.

Notably, at the time of laying the foundation stone, both leaders had announced that the memorial would be completed within a short period.

Several years ago, an expert committee comprising faculty from some prestigious universities was also formed.

However, no progress was made on the ground.

Sources informed that there was once a plan to change the location of the proposed memorial, but that idea, too, was eventually dropped.

Meanwhile, on the Martyrdom Day of 40 Muktas, observed on Saturday, various religious programmes were held in gurdwaras across the town.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Tek Singh Khalsa, and several other religious leaders participated in the ceremonies.