On the Martyrdom Day of freedom fighter Udham Singh, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh visited Sunam to pay tribute to the martyr. However, he faced backlash from various liberations for doing politics in the name of paying homage to martyrs.
The protesters also staged a demonstration against the ceremony held in memory of the martyr in Udham Singh Nagar.
The protest occurred as Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh visited Udham Singh Nagar in Sunam to pay tribute to Shaheed Udham Singh. Reportedly, CM had visited the city for the first time in his four-and-a-half-year tenure and as a result, he and his ministers received backlash from Freedom Fighter Utaradhikari Sangathan, Anganwadi union, and MGNREGA workers.
Some members of the Freedom Fighter Utaradhikari Union also wanted to meet CM, however were stopped by police officials following which protestors engaged in a scuffle with the cops.
Harinder Singh Khalsa, the organisation's state president, who was present at the event, said, "why did Captain come to honour Shaheed Udham Singh during the election campaign? CM did not pay a single visit in his entire tenure and as elections are just months ahead, he is here paying tributes and conversing with families of martyrs. Shame on him and other party workers."
“CM also failed to keep his promises to the families of martyrs and freedom fighters,” claimed the union.
During the event, however, the Chief Minister also unveiled a copper statue of Shaheed Udham Singh and a museum dedicated to him.
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Following the event, Captain addressed the crowd, saying that famous historians and researchers had previously done significant research to identify patriots and freedom fighters, particularly from Punjab, who had made significant contributions to the country's independence movement.
He said that these martyrs died in "Kala Pani" leaving behind no memories and "we now must pay utmost respect and honour to their sacrifices made for the motherland."
Captain Amarinder Singh said, "the martyr's heroic sacrifice would inspire future generations to embrace the spirit of nationalism and patriotism". He urged the local authorities to ensure that the memorial will be maintained properly.
He also met the families of martyrs Jeet Singh, Gyan Singh, Ranjit Kaur, Mohan Singh, Shyam Singh, Malkit Singh, and Gurmeet Singh on this occasion and presented them with shawls as a token of respect.