HP CM Sukhu pays tribute to freedom fighter Durga Bhabhi
Synopsis
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of Himachal Pradesh paid solemn homage to revolutionary freedom fighter Durgawati Devi 'Durga Bhabhi' on her death anniversary, honouring her indomitable courage in India's independence movement and her pivotal role alongside Bhagat Singh.
Key Takeaways
The Chief Minister's Office of Himachal Pradesh posted a formal tribute to Durgawati Devi 'Durga Bhabhi' on her death anniversary on October 15, 2026 .
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu described her as a symbol of 'indomitable courage, unparalleled valour, and unwavering patriotism.' Durga Bhabhi was a member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) and played a key role in Bhagat Singh's escape from Lahore after the 1928 killing of British officer John Saunders .
She disguised Bhagat Singh as her husband to evade colonial police — one of the most celebrated acts of individual bravery in India's revolutionary movement.
Indian state governments regularly issue official tributes on freedom fighter death anniversaries as part of civic memory-keeping.
She disguised Bhagat Singh as her husband and walked him past colonial police — and nearly a century later, her courage still commands a salute. On her death anniversary, Thursday, October 15, 2026, the Chief Minister's Office of Himachal Pradesh issued a solemn tribute to revolutionary freedom fighter Durgawati Devi, known to history as 'Durga Bhabhi', on behalf of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
The tribute, posted in Hindi, read: 'Adamy sahas, advitiya shaurya aur atoot rashtrbhakti ki pratik Durgawati Devi ji 'Durga Bhabhi' ki punyatithi par unhe sadar naman' — 'Respectful homage to Durgawati Devi 'Durga Bhabhi', symbol of indomitable courage, unparalleled valour, and unwavering patriotism, on her death anniversary.' CM Sukhu added: 'Her struggle for the freedom of the motherland will forever remain a symbol of national pride and inspiration.'
The woman who outwitted the British Empire
Durgawati Devi was a frontline cadre of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), the revolutionary organisation that counted Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Sukhdev among its ranks. Her most celebrated act came in 1928, after the killing of British officer John Saunders in Lahore — a retaliatory strike for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai. With colonial police hunting Bhagat Singh across the city, Durgawati posed as his wife, cradling an infant, as the trio boarded a train out of Lahore. Calm under lethal pressure. The plan worked.
That single act of nerve has made her one of the most vivid figures in India's revolutionary freedom movement — a woman who did not merely support the cause from the margins but stood at its sharp edge.
A ritual of remembrance that speaks to a living debate
Indian state governments routinely issue official tributes on the death anniversaries of independence movement figures, using verified social media channels to keep these stories in public circulation. The gesture is largely ceremonial, but the cumulative effect is civic: it signals which histories an administration considers worth honouring. CM Sukhu's tribute places Durga Bhabhi's brand of armed, organised resistance — distinct from the non-violent mainstream — squarely in the state's official memory.
Her legacy endures precisely because it is uncontainable. Durga Bhabhi was not just a supporting actor in someone else's story. She was a principal. And on her death anniversary, that distinction deserves its full weight.
Point of View
Where invoking HSRA-linked figures carries a distinct resonance beyond routine commemoration. The tribute also underscores a quiet competition among administrations to claim ownership of the independence movement's full spectrum, not merely its most canonised names. In a state with no direct historical connection to Durga Bhabhi on record, the gesture is as much about national identity as it is about local heritage.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Durga Bhabhi and why is she famous?
Durgawati Devi, known as 'Durga Bhabhi,' was a revolutionary freedom fighter and member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. She is best known for helping Bhagat Singh escape from Lahore in 1928 after the killing of British officer John Saunders, by disguising him as her husband.
What is Durga Bhabhi's death anniversary date?
Durga Bhabhi's death anniversary falls on October 15. In 2026, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu paid official tribute to her on this day.
What was Durga Bhabhi's connection to Bhagat Singh?
Durga Bhabhi was a fellow HSRA cadre who personally assisted Bhagat Singh's escape from Lahore in 1928. She posed as his wife at a railway station, allowing him to slip past colonial police who were hunting him after the Saunders killing.
Why did Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu tribute Durga Bhabhi?
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu paid tribute to Durga Bhabhi on her death anniversary as part of the official practice of honouring India's freedom fighters, calling her a symbol of indomitable courage and unwavering patriotism.
What was the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association?
The Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) was a revolutionary organisation active during India's independence movement, whose members included Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Sukhdev. It advocated armed resistance against British colonial rule.
