A decision by the Lahore High Court on Friday to dismiss a petition to rename Shadman Chowk in honor of Bhagat Singh has drawn sharp criticism from Pakistan’s Sikh minority, who view the move as yet another instance of sidelining their historical legacy.
The petition, submitted by the Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation, sought not only to rename Shadman Chowk after the revered independence hero but also to install his statue at the site where he was executed 94 years ago. Lahore High Court Judge Shams Mehmood Mirza dismissed the petition after hearing arguments from representatives of the Metropolitan Corporation, Lahore, and the foundation. A court official explained that the ruling was rendered following the submission of a written reply by the district government, which had earlier scrapped plans to memorialize Bhagat Singh at that location following a recommendation from retired Commodore Tariq Majeed.
A Painful Echo for Pakistan’s Sikh Minority
For many in Pakistan’s Sikh community, whose roots are deeply intertwined with the subcontinent’s shared history of struggle and sacrifice, the rejection of the petition feels like an erasure of a key chapter in their cultural narrative. Bhagat Singh, born into a Sikh family, has long been a symbol of resistance against colonial oppression—not only for India but also for minority communities across the region.
“Today’s decision sends a disheartening message to those of us who take immense pride in our subcontinental heritage,” said Jagtar Singh, a prominent community advocate based in Lahore. “Recognizing Bhagat Singh’s sacrifice is not just about celebrating a single hero—it’s about acknowledging the myriad contributions of our communities to the struggle for freedom. This ruling deepens the sense of marginalization many of us feel.”
Community leaders have expressed concerns that such decisions continue to marginalize the historical contributions of non-Muslim communities in Pakistan, reinforcing longstanding narratives of exclusion. They argue that memorials like the proposed Bhagat Singh statue could serve as a bridge between diverse cultural histories, fostering interfaith dialogue and mutual respect in a country home to a complex tapestry of traditions.
Petition Set for a New Battle in the Supreme Court
Advocate Imtiaz Rasheed Qureshi, chairman of the Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation, vowed to challenge the Lahore High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court. “We remain steadfast in our belief that Bhagat Singh’s legacy deserves public remembrance in Lahore. His sacrifice is not the property of any single community—it belongs to all those who fought for freedom. We will pursue every legal avenue to rectify this injustice,” Qureshi stated.
The Metropolitan Corporation, part of Lahore’s district government, had noted in its written reply to the court that the initial proposal was abandoned following an observation submitted by Commodore Tariq Majeed (retd). This decision, according to critics, underscores the complexities and sensitivities involved in reconciling national history with the sentiments of minority communities.
A Call for Inclusive Historical Memory
As the legal battle gears up to shift to Pakistan’s highest court, many in Pakistan’s Sikh minority, along with other civil society activists, are calling for a broader reexamination of how historical narratives are framed and commemorated in the country. “An inclusive approach to our national memory is essential,” argued another community leader, who requested anonymity. “By sidelining symbols like Bhagat Singh, we risk diluting the very values of unity and resistance that can help mend our divided past.”
While the outcome at the Supreme Court remains to be seen, Friday’s decision has already left an indelible mark on Pakistan’s multicultural landscape. For Pakistan’s Sikh minority and supporters of a pluralistic historical narrative, the dismissal is less about a legal proceeding and more about an ongoing struggle for recognition and inclusion in the nation’s evolving story.
