It’s that time of the year again when overzealous individuals start demanding that Valentine’s Day should be observed as ‘Black Day’, because they believe legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh was hanged on this day.
Last year, the Shiv Sena (Punjab) had demanded that the day be marked ‘Black Day’. This year, , Education Officer (Primary), Solapur Zilla Parishad, Tanaji Ghadge had directed all block education officers and administrative officers to organise a "gratitude day" in schools by inviting parents of students and asking students to express gratitude by performing 'aarti'.
The circular stated that since Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged on February 14, schools should pay tribute to three martyrs.Later they withdrew the circular after much embarrassment.
The truth is that Bhagat Singh was born on either 27 or 28 September 1907 at Banga, Jaranwala Tehsil, Lyallpur district, Punjab, British India (present-day Pakistan) and the official records suggest he was hanged along with Rajguru and Sukhdev on 23rd March 1931 in Lahore, Punjab which is now in Pakistan.
Read: Why no political party is worthy of Bhagat Singh's legacy
