Jhajjar remembers trio who unfurled Tricolour 100 years ago

Ravinder Saini

Jhajjar, January 15

Patriotism filled the hearts of all those present at a function when grandsons of freedom fighters Pandit Shri Ram Sharma, Rao Mangli Ram and Lala Hari Singh Jain jointly hoisted the national flag on top of Town Hall in Jhajjar city on Saturday.

It was the same place where their grandfathers — without caring for their life – had unfurled the Tricolour after taking off the Union Jack during the freedom movement exactly 100 years ago on January 15, 1922.

The district administration had invited them for the function organised to mark 100 years of this historical event to recall the contribution of the three patriots in the freedom struggle and to felicitate their family members.

“My grandfather Pandit Shri Ram Sharma jumped into the freedom movement after quitting his studies. At that time, he was pursuing graduation from Hindu College, Delhi, and was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi. Though the college principal asked him not to leave his studies, my grandfather was so passionate that he did not pay heed to him,” said Anshul Sharma, a retired bureaucrat.

He maintained his grandfather, along with other freedom fighters, was arrested by the police immediately after hoisting the Tricolour at Town Hall. He was awarded one-year jail and a penalty of Rs 500 but the punishment failed to dampen his patriotic spirit. He continued to actively participate in the movement against the British and went to jail several times.

Pawan Yadav, grandson of Rao Mangli Ram, said all the freedom fighters who hoisted the Tricolour were subjected to torture after their arrest. They were tied to police horses with a chain and dragged to the police station. “This is the first time that the district administration has taken the initiative to organise an event to honour the contribution of our ancestors in the freedom movement. Such functions should be organised every year so that the young generation gets inspiration from their courage,” he added.

Deputy Commissioner Shyam Lal Punia said it is a matter of pride for the district administration that it was recalling the contribution of its freedom fighters and also celebrating the historical event.