Saragarhi Day on Sept 12 to be holiday, announces Punjab CM

Tribune News Service

Tibri Cantonment (Gurdaspur), August 14

Punjab will observe September 12 as Saragarhi Day to commemorate the historic battle of Saragarhi, held on this date in 1897, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh announced on Monday.

He was addressing the soldiers of 3 Sikhs, with whom he was spending the Independence Eve.

A state-level function will be held on September 12 at the Saragarhi Gurdwara in Ferozepur to mark the occasion, which will be presided by Finance Minister Manpreet Badal, in the absence of the chief minister.

Capt Amarinder will be in London for the launch of his book on Saragarhi, as part of the Saragarhi battle celebrations.

The chief minister announced a state holiday to mark the day, which will be celebrated every year on September 12 from this year onwards.

The Cabinet had in April decided to hand over the management of the Saragarhi Memorial Gurdwara to the administration of Saragarhi Memorial Management Trust, Ferozepur.

The Trust comprises of serving Army men as well as ex-servicemen. The site is located at Ferozepur Cantt in district Ferozepur.

On this date, under the command of Havildar Ishar Singh, 21 jawans and one NCO attained martyrdom after killing hundreds of tribesman, who had attacked the Saragarhi outpost.

The British government had conferred the 21 soldiers with the highest battle honour — “Indian Order of Merit grade II”.

This day is celebrated on September 12 every year in Gurdwara Saragarhi Sahib to commemorate the sacrifices of these men.