CM Bhajan Lal Pays Tribute to Shaheed Udham Singh
Synopsis
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma honoured Sardar Udham Singh on his martyrdom anniversary, saluting the revolutionary who assassinated Michael O'Dwyer in 1940 to avenge the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and was subsequently hanged in London.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma paid tribute to revolutionary martyr Sardar Udham Singh on his martyrdom anniversary.
Udham Singh was hanged on 31 July 1940 in London after assassinating Michael O'Dwyer to avenge the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 13 April 1919 .
CM Sharma called Udham Singh a symbol of 'indomitable courage, unbreakable patriotism, and immortal sacrifice.' The tribute highlights Udham Singh's 'unparalleled determination to deliver justice' to the innocent victims of Jallianwala Bagh.
Martyrdom-day tributes to Udham Singh are observed annually by leaders across India's political spectrum.
On the martyrdom anniversary of one of India's most defiant revolutionaries, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma offered a heartfelt tribute to Sardar Udham Singh — the man who crossed continents and waited two decades to deliver justice for the dead of Jallianwala Bagh.
Posting on 31 July 2026, CM Sharma wrote in Hindi: 'Adamya sahas, atoot rashtrbhakti aur amar balidan ke pratik' — 'A symbol of indomitable courage, unbreakable patriotism, and immortal sacrifice' — saluting Udham Singh with 'shata-shata naman', a hundred-fold bow of reverence.
The Vow That Crossed an Ocean
On 13 April 1919, British forces under orders linked to then-Lieutenant Governor of Punjab Michael O'Dwyer opened fire on an unarmed gathering at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, killing hundreds of men, women, and children who had no route of escape. Udham Singh, a young witness to the carnage, turned that wound into a lifelong mission. More than two decades later, on 13 March 1940, he shot O'Dwyer dead at a public meeting in London — and made no attempt to flee. He was hanged at Pentonville Prison, London, on 31 July 1940. CM Sharma's tribute underlines that singular resolve: 'His unparalleled determination to deliver justice to the innocent martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh, his self-respect, and his dedication to the motherland will remain immortal in Indian history forever.'A Flame Kept Alive Across Party Lines
Udham Singh's martyrdom day draws tributes from leaders across India's political spectrum every year — a rare point of convergence in an otherwise fractious public discourse. CM Sharma's message fits that broader pattern, invoking Udham Singh's life as a call to 'national service, courage, and patriotism' for every Indian citizen. The tribute is both an act of remembrance and a quiet assertion: that the fire lit in that Amritsar garden 84 years ago has never been allowed to go out.Point of View
Invoking Udham Singh allows the party to claim a broad nationalist lineage that spans pre-independence revolutionary movements. The annual ritual of cross-party tributes also signals how martyrdom anniversaries function as soft consensus moments in Indian politics, briefly suspending partisan contest in favour of shared historical memory. Udham Singh's story, bridging Amritsar and London, continues to resonate as a symbol of self-respect and long-arc justice.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Sardar Udham Singh and why is he remembered?
Sardar Udham Singh was an Indian revolutionary who assassinated Michael O'Dwyer in London in 1940 to avenge the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919, in which British forces killed hundreds of unarmed civilians in Amritsar. He was hanged on 31 July 1940 and is celebrated as a martyr and freedom fighter.
What happened at Jallianwala Bagh?
On 13 April 1919, British Indian Army troops fired on a large, unarmed crowd gathered at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, Punjab. Hundreds were killed and many more wounded in one of the most infamous acts of colonial violence in Indian history.
When is Udham Singh's martyrdom day observed?
Udham Singh's martyrdom day is observed on 31 July, the date he was hanged at Pentonville Prison in London in 1940.
Who is Bhajan Lal Sharma?
Bhajan Lal Sharma is a BJP leader and the Chief Minister of Rajasthan. He has been paying public tributes to national martyrs and freedom fighters as part of commemorative observances.
Why do Indian political leaders tribute Udham Singh every year?
Udham Singh's story of sacrifice, resolve, and resistance to colonial injustice makes him a unifying national symbol. Leaders across party lines mark his martyrdom anniversary to honour his legacy and invoke themes of patriotism and national service.
