Government to look into martyr status for Bhagat Singh

The government on Tuesday said that it will look into the details of why freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru and Chandra Shekhar Azad had not been given the status of martyrs.

The response came after the issue was raised in the Rajya Sabha by Indian National Lok Dal member Ram Kumar Kashyap during Zero Hour. Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu also expressed concern, asking the government to look into the matter.

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said: "Bhagat Singh was held in highest esteem by the country and the government is dedicated to give all the respect to his supreme sacrifice. I will ascertain the details and get back to the House."

Kashyap said that he was distressed to learn that even Pakistan had conferred the title of Shaheed-E-Azam on Bhagat Singh whereas India had not, and called it "ridiculous".

"It is very disappointing that Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru and Chandra Shekhar Azad have not been given the status of martyrs. Questions would be raised why this status was not given to them," he said.

Intervening in the matter, Naidu said: "The Law Minister is here. He should discuss the matter with the Culture Ministry."

--IANS

bns/him/bg