Bhagwant Mann honours Shaheed Udham Singh on 87th martyrdom day in Sunam
Synopsis
On the 87th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Udham Singh, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann travelled to Sunam — the martyr's birthplace — to lead state-level tributes and invoke Udham Singh's act of retribution against the architect of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The AAP government's prominent role in the event signals a deliberate effort to anchor its political identity in Punjab's revolutionary heritage.
Key Takeaways
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann led the state commemoration of Shaheed Udham Singh's 87th martyrdom day in Sunam on 31 July .
Mann laid a wreath and offered floral tributes at the Shaheed Udham Singh memorial in Sunam.
The CM recalled how Udham Singh avenged the Jallianwala Bagh massacre by eliminating Michael O'Dwyer at Caxton Hall, London .
Mann reaffirmed the AAP government's commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of India's freedom fighters.
Shaheed Udham Singh was executed by British authorities on 31 July 1940 after assassinating O'Dwyer in retribution for the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh killings .
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday, 31 July reaffirmed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's pledge to honour the legacy of freedom fighters who gave their lives to end British colonial rule in India. Mann made the remarks at a state-level commemoration marking the 87th martyrdom day of Shaheed Udham Singh in Sunam town, Punjab.
Tribute at the Memorial
Before addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Mann laid a wreath and offered floral tributes at the memorial dedicated to Shaheed Udham Singh. The function drew attendees from across the state, with Sunam — the martyr's birthplace — serving as the symbolic heart of the commemoration.
What the Chief Minister Said
'Shaheed Udham Singh made the supreme sacrifice for the freedom of our country. It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for me to be part of this solemn occasion to pay tribute to this iconic martyr,' said Mann. He added that India's freedom struggle was built on 'countless sacrifices by brave sons and daughters of the nation, who laid down their lives to free the country and pave the way for an egalitarian society committed to the welfare of the weaker and underprivileged sections.'
Addressing the historical context, Mann said Shaheed Udham Singh had avenged the Jallianwala Bagh massacre — in which hundreds of unarmed Indians were killed under the orders of the then Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, Michael O'Dwyer — by eliminating O'Dwyer at Caxton Hall in London. 'Shaheed Udham Singh ensured that Michael O'Dwyer was brought to justice,' the Chief Minister stated.
Legacy and Inspiration
Mann described Sunam as a sacred site that draws visitors from across India and the world, seeking inspiration from Udham Singh's extraordinary life. He said the martyr's 'unparalleled sacrifice' in the national freedom struggle had strengthened India's resolve to overthrow British imperialism and would continue to inspire youth toward selfless service.
'Our country will always remain indebted to this iconic martyr who laid down his life for the motherland,' Mann added.
Broader Significance
The commemoration comes at a time when the AAP government in Punjab has sought to position itself as a custodian of the state's rich revolutionary heritage. Shaheed Udham Singh, born in Sunam in 1899, was executed by British authorities on 31 July 1940 after assassinating O'Dwyer in London in 1940 — an act widely seen as retribution for the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. His martyrdom anniversary is observed annually as a day of solemn reflection across Punjab. The AAP government's visible participation underscores the party's effort to connect its political identity with the state's freedom-struggle narrative ahead of future electoral cycles.
Point of View
Udham Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha — are potent electoral symbols in the state, and the ruling party is clearly investing in that iconography. What is less visible is whether such commemorations translate into tangible policy outcomes for the communities these martyrs came from. Sunam and the broader Sangrur district continue to grapple with agrarian distress and youth unemployment — the very structural inequities that men like Udham Singh fought to dismantle. Tribute without policy follow-through risks reducing martyrdom into ceremony.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Shaheed Udham Singh's martyrdom day observed on 31 July?
Shaheed Udham Singh was executed by British authorities on 31 July 1940, following his assassination of Michael O'Dwyer in London earlier that year. His martyrdom is commemorated annually on this date, particularly in Punjab, his home state.
Who was Michael O'Dwyer and why did Udham Singh target him?
Michael O'Dwyer was the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab during the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre, in which hundreds of unarmed Indians were killed by British forces. Udham Singh held O'Dwyer responsible for the atrocity and shot him dead at Caxton Hall in London in 1940 as an act of retribution.
Where is the Shaheed Udham Singh memorial located?
The memorial dedicated to Shaheed Udham Singh is located in Sunam town in Punjab's Sangrur district, which is also his birthplace. It draws visitors from across India and abroad throughout the year.
What did Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann say at the commemoration?
CM Mann praised Udham Singh's 'unparalleled patriotism' and said India would 'forever remain indebted' to the martyr. He also reaffirmed the AAP government's commitment to honouring the legacy of freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives to end British colonial rule.
What is the AAP government's stance on Punjab's freedom-fighter legacy?
The AAP government has consistently used state functions commemorating Punjab's revolutionary martyrs to reinforce its political identity. CM Mann's participation in the Sunam event reflects the party's broader effort to align itself with the state's freedom-struggle heritage.
