Published: 22 March 2026DD News / PMIndia.gov.in / ANIGeneral
Shaheed Diwas 2026: Nation Pays Tribute to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev on 95th Martyrdom Anniversary
On March 23, 2026, India observed Shaheed Diwas — Martyrs' Day — marking the 95th anniversary of the execution of three iconic freedom fighters: Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Hari Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar. They were hanged in Lahore Central Jail on March 23, 1931, by British colonial authorities, a day ahead of the scheduled date, reportedly to avoid public protests. All three were members of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) and became enduring symbols of revolutionary nationalism.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute on social media, stating: "Today, we bow in reverence to the brave sons of Bharat Mata. Their martyrdom remains etched in our collective memory. At a young age, they displayed extraordinary courage and an unshakable commitment to the cause of India's freedom. Their ideals of justice, patriotism, and fearless resistance continue to ignite the spirit of countless Indians."
Bhagat Singh, aged just 23 at the time of his execution, had become a household name through the 1929 Central Legislative Assembly bombing alongside Batukeshwar Dutt (intended as protest, not to cause casualties), his subsequent hunger strikes in prison demanding equal treatment for political prisoners, and his articulation of atheism and socialism through essays like 'Why I am an Atheist'. Rajasthan's connection to the freedom struggle is evoked through Kesari Singh Barhath, Arjun Lal Sethi, and other revolutionaries who were inspired by HSRA's ideology.
Mains angle
Q: Discuss the revolutionary legacy of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev commemorated on Shaheed Diwas 2026.
Answer (50 words):
Shaheed Diwas on March 23, 2026 marked the 95th anniversary of the Lahore Central Jail execution of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, hanged a day early to prevent protests. As HSRA members, they championed revolutionary nationalism. Bhagat Singh's 1929 Assembly bombing, prison hunger strikes, and socialist writings profoundly shaped India's freedom movement.
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Practice MCQ from this story
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Linked questionMedium
Consider the following statements regarding Shaheed Diwas observed on March 23:
1. It commemorates the execution of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev in Lahore on March 23, 1931.
2. All three were members of the Indian National Congress's youth wing.
3. Bhagat Singh wrote 'Why I am an Atheist' while imprisoned awaiting execution.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation · Correct answer CStatement 1 is correct: Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were hanged in Lahore Central Jail on March 23, 1931, one day ahead of the scheduled date. Statement 2 is incorrect: all three were members of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), not the Indian National Congress. They represented a distinct strand of revolutionary nationalism that differed from the Congress's non-violent approach. Statement 3 is correct: Bhagat Singh wrote the landmark essay 'Why I am an Atheist' (Mein Nastik Kyun Hoon) in October 1930 while in Lahore Central Jail, articulating his rationalist worldview.
Frequently asked questions
When and where were Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev executed and what is the 2026 significance?
Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were executed by hanging at Lahore Central Jail on March 23, 1931. March 23, 2026 marks the 95th martyrdom anniversary (Shaheed Diwas) of these three revolutionaries.
What was the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) and who founded it?
The HSRA (Hindustan Socialist Republican Association) was a revolutionary organisation that advocated armed struggle against British colonial rule. It was founded by Chandrashekhar Azad. Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were prominent members who carried out high-profile actions against the British.
What were Bhagat Singh's two landmark acts in the freedom struggle?
Bhagat Singh's two landmark acts were: (1) the Central Assembly bomb-throwing in 1929, where he and Batukeshwar Dutt threw bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi to protest repressive legislation — courting arrest deliberately; and (2) the 1928 Saunders assassination in Lahore to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, who died after being injured in a police lathi-charge.
Why is March 30 observed as Shaheed Diwas in Rajasthan specifically?
March 30 is observed as Shaheed Diwas in Rajasthan to commemorate the martyrs of the 1948 Jaipur firing incident, when unarmed citizens protesting for the merger of Jaipur State into the Indian Union were fired upon by the then-princely state's forces. This is distinct from the national Shaheed Diwas on March 23.
Why are Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev especially significant for RPSC RAS exam preparation?
These revolutionaries are critical for RAS Prelims GS Paper (modern Indian history) and Mains Paper I. Questions often test knowledge of HSRA, the 1929 Assembly bomb case, the Lahore Conspiracy Case, and Rajasthan-specific observances like the March 30 Shaheed Diwas. Their legacy is also relevant to questions on India's national identity.
