Tributes paid to Namdhari martyrs
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 8
Rich tributes were paid to Namdhari martyrs Suba Giani Rattan Singh and Sant Rattan Singh, who were hanged in the old jail complex in 1871 during the freedom movement, at a function organised at Namdhari Shaheed Smarak on Jail Road, here today.

Namdhari sangat, from all parts of the country and abroad, thronged the smarak of the martyrs to pay tributes.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kewal Krishan, Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, said the country was indebted to the martyrs.

He said Guru Ram Singh was the founder of the freedom movement and launched noncooperation movement against the British and his followers made sacrifices while displaying exemplary spirit of patriotism.

He said Namdhari Darbar had inducted discipline in the community and the sangat was following the preachings of Guru Jagjit Singh.

He said the mission of Guru Ram Singh was relevant in today's world also. Following footsteps of Namdhari Darbar, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had launched a crusade to eliminate corruption from the state administration, added Dr Krishan. He also announced a grant of Rs 50,000 for the development of the shaheedi smarak.

Mr Kushal Behal, Education Minister, while paying tributes to the martyrs, said Namdharis had remained at the forefront of the freedom movement and the Congress had its origin in the Namdhari movement and its philosophy.

He said 25 lakhs Namdharis were still practicing the principles of Guru Ram Singh to eradicate social evils like dowry, female foeticide and use of intoxicants from the society.

He said the state government, in its new education policy, had launched a campaign to revamp the education system. In schools and colleges, students would be given quality education so that they could compete in international-level competitions, he added.

Mr Gurcharan Singh Galib, MP, said the country was indebted to Namdhari Darbar, which had initiated the freedom movement. He exhorted all to remember martyrs and follow their footsteps.

Mr Anurag Agarwal, Deputy Commissioner, also paid tributes to the martyrs and assured that the administration would extend all assistance to beautify their smaraks.

Guru Jagjit Singh said the sangat should work towards creating awareness against intoxicants and other social evils prevailing in the society.