Sukhdev Thapar was an Indian revolutionary who played a major role in the India’s struggle for Independence. He is amongst those great Indian freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of their country. He participated in many activities to promote national consciousness among the country’s young people in the Punjab area.
Sukhdev Ji's Early Life and Background
- Full Name : Sukhdev Thapar
- Birthday : 15th May, 1907
- Father Name : Ramlal Thapar
- Mother Name : Ralli Devi Thapar
- Death : 23rd March, 1931
Sukhdev Ji lost his father at an early age, he was raised by his uncle. He completed his primary education in the village school. After that, he got admission in the National College of Punjab.
It was the arrest of his uncle that led him to revolutionary activities for the freedom of India against British rule. He showed the spirit of rebellion to the Britishers from a young age. During his school days, he refused to salute the British officers who visited his school.
Sukhdev Ji's Revolutionary activities
After the non-cooperation movement, he gave up the English clothes and started wearing Khadi clothes. He believed that a national language is needed for the upliftment of the country and only Hindi can fulfill this need.
Sukhdev joined the Naujawan Bharat Seva, which had been started by Bhagat Singh in 1926. The two became close friends and associates. He participated in many activities to promote national consciousness among the country’s young people in the Punjab area.
Sukhdev Thapar was also a member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), and organized revolutionary cells in Punjab and other areas of North India. He was the chief of Punjab unit of HSRA.
In 1928, Lala Lajpat Rai died because of injuries sustained in a police lathi charge on the order of James Scott. The young revolutionaries including Sukhdev decided to avenge Lajpat Rai’s death. On 17th December, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev executed their plan to kill James Scott at the police headquarter in Lahore but by mistake they killed Scotts's assistant John P Saunders that shook the foundation of British Government.
The British government managed to capture all the people involved in the assassination. Sukhdev Ji was the prime accused in the Lahore Conspiracy Case, whose official title was "Crown versus Sukhdev and others."
In jail, Sukhdev Ji with other freedom fighters sat on hunger strike demanding better food, books, newspapers etc. as they were political prisoners not criminals.
Sukhdev was charged for JP Saunders murder along with Rajguru and Bhagat Singh. The trial was one one sided and three of them were sentenced to death.
The trio was ordered to be hanged on 24th March 1931 but the sentence was carried out a day earlier at Lahore jail and after the hanging their mortal remains were cremated in secrets.
This execution evoked strong reactions from the people particularly youngsters and many were motivated to join freedom struggle.
Conclusion
Sukhdev Ji was a freedom fighter with great courage and patriotism. He was only 24 when he was martyred for his country.
In the memory of Sukhdev, Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies was named after him. To give tribute to Sukhdev, Amar Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar Inter-State Bus Terminal was built in Ludhiana.
He will always be remembered for his courage, patriotism and sacrifice of his life for India’s independence. 23rd March is observed as Shaheed Diwas in honour of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.
