The 87th death anniversary of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev was observed in India and Pakistan on 23 March.

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The death anniversary of Bhagat Singh was observed in Lahore by two groups, which demanded declaring him a “national hero” of Pakistan.

The Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation (BSMF) and the Bhagat Singh Foundation Pakistan (BSFP) on Friday held separate functions at Shadman Chowk where they were hanged. The participants paid rich tributes to the three freedom fighters. BSMF Chairman Imtiaz Rashid presented a resolution, urging the British Queen to tender an apology for hanging the three freedom fighters, and compensate their families. He demanded naming a road after his name and including a chapter in the school curriculum besides issuing a postal ticket and installation of Singh’s statue at Shadman Chowk.

BSFP Founder President Abdullah Malik demanded that the governments of India and Pakistan declare Singh and his comrades as “national heroes”.

Meanwhile in India, the Punjab government on Friday launched a campaign to wipe out the drugs menace in the state to mark the martyrdom day of freedom fighters Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh paid tributes to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev on Martyrs Day, with a vow to empower the youth and a call to people to join his government’s efforts to wipe out the menace of drugs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tributes to the three freedom fighters to mark Martyrs’ Day saying that they “sacrificed their lives so that others can live a life of freedom and dignity”.

(With agencies inputs)