Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid homage to legendary freedom fighter Udham Singh on his Shaheedi Diwas, calling his courage and patriotism a lasting inspiration for the nation.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote, “My humble tribute to the immortal son of Mother India, martyr Udham Singh, on his martyrdom day. His saga of patriotism and bravery will always remain a source of inspiration for the people of the nation.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also honoured Udham Singh’s sacrifice, stating that his valor continues to inspire future generations.
“My heartfelt tribute to the great freedom fighter and revolutionary Sardar Udham Singh on his Shaheedi Diwas today. His unparalleled courage and supreme sacrifice remain a source of inspiration for generations. India will always remember his unwavering spirit and deep love for the nation,” he posted on X.
Born in 1899 in Punjab’s Sangrur district, Udham Singh dedicated his life to the freedom struggle. Deeply affected by the horrific Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919, he assassinated former Punjab Lieutenant Governor Michael O’Dwyer in London in 1940 as an act of vengeance. He was subsequently arrested and executed on July 31, 1940.
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred on April 13, 1919, when British troops under General Reginald Dyer opened fire on a peaceful gathering in Amritsar. The crowd had assembled to protest the arrest of Indian leaders Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew. According to official British records, 379 people were killed and over 1,200 injured, though Indian estimates suggest the death toll exceeded 1,000.
Udham Singh remains a symbol of revolutionary justice and nationalist fervour, revered for avenging one of the darkest chapters in India’s colonial history.