Pash’s birth anniv celebrated where he was shot dead

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 9

The birth anniversary of revolutionary poet Pash was observed at his Talwandi Salem village here on Thursday. The birth anniversary celebrations took place at the village tubewell where Pash along with his close friend Hans Raj was killed on March 23, 1988. A Khalistani organisation had taken the responsibility of his murder.

The birth anniversary event held at this ‘Shaheedi Tubewell’ today was named after the poem “Main ghaah haan tuhade kitte karaye te ugganga” (I’m grass, I’ll grow over your doings).

While the place was decorated with flowers, balloons were also released into the air and slogans were raised to commemorate the socialist poet. Candles were lit at the place as a pledge was taken that Pash’s poetry, which is being celebrated in Punjab and at the farmers’ protests, will be propagated even further across the world.

On the occasion, Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Committee senior trustee Surinder Kumari Kochar also released the book “Pash: Diary and Letters” edited by Amolak Singh. Kochar said there was a lot of inspiration which could be taken by the youth of today from Pash’s intense writings, his commitment to literature and his equivalence between his deeds and words.

Pash Hans Raj Saheedi Yadgaar Commitee, Nakodar, convener Mohan Singh Bal; Pash’s brother Succha Singh Talwandi Salem; Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union vice secretary Harmesh Malri; Balwant Singh Malsian from Bharti Kisan Union Ekta Ugrahan; Tarksheel Society representative Sukhwinder Baghpur; Punjab Lok Sabhyacharak Manch President Amolak Singh and workers and Pash ideolgoues from Uddi, Malri, Malsian were present on the occasion to talk about and deliberate on his legacy.

Key speaker at the event Amolak Singh and other speakers said Pash’s legacy had always served as an inspiration to build a society of his dreams. The gathering also spoke of the struggle of farmers, labourers, unemeployed and the incarceration and demand for release of writers and intellectuals.

They also reinforced the demand for the restoration of the older form of the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial. Rail Coach Factory’s Shaheed Bhagtat Singh Vichar Manch president Amrik Singh, Sunrinder Singh Tony, Sukhjinder Lali, among others were also present.

Members of the Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Committee said on September 19, an event will be dedicated by the DBY Trust to Pash’s birthday.