New Delhi: A decision to not rename a chowk in Lahore after Bhagat Singh has been met with mostly negative reactions in Pakistan, where the freedom fighter was born and ultimately hanged. It all happened at the behest of a military officer. Now, some Pakistanis are asking him to listen to the speeches of Pakistan’s founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah, who praised Bhagat Singh.
A report by Dawn revealed that retired Commodore Tariq Majeed filed a brief with the Lahore city government where he opposed the renaming of the chowk on the grounds that Bhagat Singh’s story was “forged” and “had no role in the subcontinent’s freedom struggle.” Majeed further added Singh was a “criminal” and “an enemy of [Pakistan]’s Islamic ideology.”
In response to the news, one user on X said “Might be named khilafat chowk soon”, hinting at Pakistani’s not recognising the authority of their government.
Another said “But we cannot get rid of Army colonializing mentality” in criticism of the vast amounts of power held by the Pakistani armed forces.
On a current affairs YouTube channel Jyotirmay, Pakistani journalist Arzoo Kazmi was interviewed by host Hari Mohan where she explained that this was the first time she has heard opposing views on Bhagat Singh in Pakistan. She went on to say that whether people in Pakistan decide to accept or not, they share common forefathers with their Indian counterparts.
The Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation, an NGO based in Lahore, criticised the government for its decision. Chairman of the foundation Imtiaz Rasheed Qureshi reminded Majeed of speeches by Jinnah, who praised Bhagat Singh.
Also read: Bhagat Singh wasn’t just hanged, but was chopped and stuffed in sacks
Over 10 years in the making
The decision to scrap the renaming of the chowk was met with criticism from both sides of the border. But a few Pakistanis did decide to stand up for the decision. “hn to hamra mulk hamri marzi (sic)”—Our country, our choice. What it is to you—one user commented on a video on the matter by an Indian YouTube channel.
The plan to rename Fawara Chowk in Shadman after the freedom fighter has been in discussion since 2012. When it was put on hold over 10 years ago, Pakistanis had taken to Reddit to express their disappointment.
“It’s a shame because Bhagat Singh is actually considered a hero in Pakistan as well. This undermines the contributions of Lahore in the independence struggle” one user had commented then.
Another had said “Funnily enough people here respect and honor the man, especially Lahoris. This was probably done to placate people who neither heard of him or would want to.”
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)
Pakistanis live in the 7th century. In fact, most Muslims do even in India and Bangladesh.
For the believers (Momin), Bhagat Singh is indeed a criminal.
Now why would Pakistan, a British creation and continues to be ruled by the Brits, honour an Indian freedom fighter, who opposed British rule.