Sukhdev Thapar
Early Life of Sukhdev Thapar
- Sukhdev Thapar was born on May 15, 1907, in the ‘Naukhara’ area of old Ludhiana in Punjab state.
- His parents were Ramlal Thapar and Ralli Devi.
Sukhdev’s Role in the Indian Freedom Struggle
- He became a member of two revolutionary organizations namely ‘Hindustan Socialist Republican Association’ and ‘Naujawan Bharat Sabha’.
- These organizations aimed to bring an end to British rule through revolutionary methods.
- He also participated in the famous prison hunger strike protest in the year 1929.
Participation in the Saunders Assassination
- Sukhdev was associated with the assassination incident of British police officer J.R. Saunders, which was carried out by Bhagat Singh and Shivaram Rajguru on December 17, 1928.
- This act was undertaken to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, who died due to injuries sustained during a protest against British rule.
Lahore Conspiracy Case Trial
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- Sukhdev was included as one of the main accused in the Lahore Conspiracy Case.
- This case was officially titled “The Crown versus Sukhdev and others”.
- The British government accused him of being involved in hatching the plan to throw bombs inside the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi on April 8, 1929.
- He and his fellow revolutionaries were arrested, convicted, and sentenced to death.
Execution and Burial
- Sukhdev Thapar, Bhagat Singh, and Shivaram Rajguru were hanged on March 23, 1931, at the Lahore Central Jail.
Remembrance and Honouring of Sukhdev Thapar
- The ‘National Martyrs Memorial’ has been established at the place where the bodies of Sukhdev, Bhagat Singh, and Rajguru were cremated.
- Every year on March 23, ‘Martyrs’ Day’ (Shaheed diwas )is observed in their memory.
