India lodges protest over remarks against Bhagat Singh in Lahore HC

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said a “strong protest” had been lodged with Pakistan regarding “objectionable” reference to freedom fighter Bhagat Singh in the Lahore High Court.

In a written reply to a question posed by Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari, Minister of State Kriti Vardhan Singh said, “The Centre has noted the recent reports regarding objectionable remarks made against Bhagat Singh in Pakistan and has lodged a strong protest with the Government of Pakistan on the incident through diplomatic channels.”

Tewari had asked, “Whether the Centre is aware of the derogatory remarks made against Bhagat Singh in submissions to the Lahore HC?”

Though Tewari did not mention the case, Pakistani media reported in the second week of November that the Lahore city administration had scrapped a plan to rename the Fawara Chowk Shadman after Bhagat Singh. Media reports said a retired Pakistan navy officer had filed an “awareness” brief and claimed that the story of Bhagat Singh was a forged one. Pakistani media reported that the navy officer claimed “Bhagat Singh was an alien to Pakistan and an enemy of its Islamic ideology”.

The ministry’s reply further said the government had also been raising with Pakistan, issues concerning attacks on cultural heritage, growing intolerance and lack of respect for minority communities in the neighbouring country.