Martyr’s statue still missing from Ludhiana’s heart, activists demand restoration

Social activists in the city are disheartened over the continued absence of Major Bhupinder Singh’s statue and the captured tank from Bharat Nagar Chowk. The statue, once proudly installed at the city’s central junction, was temporarily removed during the flyover construction.

Now that the work is complete, activists are demanding its immediate reinstatement, but the administration remains silent. The activists gathered at Bharat Nagar Chowk and the Public Action Committee (PAC), Mattewara, condemned what they called a “deliberate erasure of Ludhiana’s historic identity.” The event drew public support.

Dr Amandeep Singh Bains and Er Kapil Arora from the PAC, Mattewara, pointed out that instead of restoring the statue and tank, the roundabout now features a corporate installation by Hero Cycles, complete with a bicycle model and insignia. They also revealed that the name “Bharat Nagar Chowk” has been removed from signage, paving the way for the junction to be unofficially renamed “Hero Cycle Chowk.”

“This is not neglect but a calculated replacement of our real heroes with corporate branding,” said Dr Bains.

“Major Bhupinder Singh’s legacy belongs to the heart of Ludhiana,” he said.

The PAC members further objected to the absence of Punjabi language on the signage, calling it a violation of the state government’s official language policy and an affront to Punjabi cultural rights. They also cited engineering violations, noting that the roundabout’s height exceeds permissible limits and features glaring advertisements — both prohibited under civil codes and a 2013 Supreme Court directive banning private structures on public roads and chowks.

The PAC, Mattewara, has initiated legal steps and announced its intent to serve a contempt notice to the Municipal Commissioner, Ludhiana, and the owner of Hero Cycles.

“Martyrs deserve remembrance, not replacement,” said Jaskirat Singh and Kuldeep Singh Khaira of the PAC. Gurpreet Singh Plaha, Mohit Saggar and Yogesh Maini were also present at the press meet. The flyover may be complete but Ludhiana’s tribute to its hero remains unfinished,” Dr Bains said.

Public gathering to mark martyrdom anniv

To mark the 60th martyrdom anniversary of Major Bhupinder Singh, PAC, Mattewara, has called for a public gathering at Bharat Nagar Chowk on October 3 at 11am. Citizens, ex-servicemen, students and civic groups are expected to join the event in solidarity.

Who was Major Bhupinder Singh

Major Bhupinder Singh hailed from Harnampura village in Ludhiana. For displaying exemplary gallantry, leadership and devotion to duty during the India-Pakistan war of 1965, he was awarded Maha Vir Chakra posthumously.

In 1965, Major Bhupinder was commanding the squadron ‘B’ of 4th Horse which was deployed to cut the enemy line off along the Gadgor-Phillora road and provide a fire base for the attack on Phillora.

Though Major Bhupinder’s tank was hit on several occasions, he continued to remain in effective command. On September 19, which happened to be his birthday, his tank got hit by a missile and caught fire. He suffered grievous injuries and lost his life on October 3, 1965.

His statue and a Patton tank were installed on the rotary in the centre of Bharat Nagar Chowk, later shifted near the main gate of the GCG after the rotary was razed and is now located outside the Rose Garden.