Pakistani-groups want Bhagat Singh to be declared their "National Hero"
What's the story
Freedom fighter Bhagat Singh's 87th death anniversary was observed in Lahore by two groups of people who demanded to declare him a "national hero" of Pakistan.
Singh was hanged at the age of 23 in Lahore on 23 March 1931 along with Rajguru and Sukhdev. The capital punishment had inspired thousands of people to take up the cause of the freedom movement.
Here's more.
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Two groups remember Bhagat Singh on death anniversary
Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation (BSMF) and Bhagat Singh Foundation Pakistan (BSFP) held separate functions at Lahore's Shadman Chowk where Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were hanged. The participants paid rich tribute to the three freedom fighters. Some relatives of Singh made a telephonic address.
BSMF's demands
British Queen must apologize for hanging the freedom fighters: BSMF
The Chairman of BSMF, Imtiaz Rashid, presented a resolution demanding the British Queen to tender an apology for hanging the three freedom fighters and compensate their families.
He also demanded to name a road after Bhagat Singh apart from including a chapter in the school curriculum besides issuing a postal ticket and installation of the freedom fighter's statue at Shadman Chowk.
BSFP's Demands
India, Pakistan should declare Singh, comrades as national heroes: BSFP
Meanwhile, the Founder & President of BSFP, Abdullah Malik, said: "Bhagat Singh raised his voice against imperialism. He will be remembered as a great freedom fighter."
He also demanded that the governments of India and Pakistan declare Singh and his comrades as "national heroes".
Both the events were held under strict security in the face of threats from extremists.
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Hafiz Saeed-led JuD's sister organization opposes both the groups' demand
Both BSMF and BSFP foundations have been demanding to rename the Shadman Chowk as "Bhagat Singh Chowk". However, the Hurmat-e-Rasool, a sister organization of the Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed-led Jamaat-u-Dawah, opposes the proposal and suggests to rename it as "Hurmat Chowk".