i) 59th Anniversary of Martyrdom of Shaheed Udham Singh
On 13 March, 1940, the great Indian patriot Udham Singh challenged the imperial hegemony of the British Raj when he assassinated Sir Michael O’Dwyer, ex-lieutenant Governor of Punjab, at a public meeting at Caxton Hall, London. After a brief two-day trial, Udham Singh was sentenced to death. Shaheed Udham Singh sacrificed his life in the fight against imperialism. His actions made a highly significant contribution to the struggle for the independence of India. 31st July marks the 59th anniversary of the martyrdom of Shaheed Udham Singh. 1999 is also the centenary year of Shaheed Udham Singh. On the occasion of this anniversary LALKAR, the Shaheed Udham Singh Welfare Trust and the Indian Workers Association (GB) pay homage to this heroic fighter for the freedom of the people of India.
Udham Singh’s story
Five files relating to the case of Shaheed Udham Singh were subject to a British Government ban until the year 2040. However, with relentless campaigning by the Shaheed Udham Singh Welfare Trust and the IWA(GB), the secret files were released in 1996 and 1997. As a dedication to the people of India and the Ghadr Party, the Punjabi University, Patiala, India, has published ‘
Challenge to Imperial Hegemony – the life story of Udham Singh’
written by Navtej Singh, in collaboration with the Shaheed Welfare Trust (Birmingham) and the IWA(GB).The editor of Lalkar, Comrade Harpal Brar, has written a foreward for this book.
Inspired by the research and publication of ‘Challenge to Imperial Hegemony’ and another book on Udham Singh by Sikander Singh, a film ‘Shaheed Udham Singh’ is being made and is likely to be released in the UK in the very near future. An audio tape and CD of the songs from the film are available in shops now.
Bharat Gaurav Award
Comrade Avtar Singh Jouhl, General Secretary of the IWA(GB), played the leading role in securing, from the Home Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the release of the five secret files on Udham Singh. In recognition of his role in obtaining these files, in publishing two books and in assisting in the film production of Shaheed Udham Singh, the ‘Bharat Gaurav Award’ (Pride of India) was presented to him by H.E. The High Commissioner of India, Lalit Mann Singh, in London on 25 June 1999.
ii) Book:’Challenge to Imperial Hegemony’
Challenge to Imperial Hegemony by Navtej Singh
Price £10.00 [add £2 for postage and packing]
ISBN 81-7380-259-6
This work of Dr.Navtej Singh establishes Udham Singh as a revolutionary of the Ghadr Party who very early in 1927 brought large amounts of ammunition to India to overthrow the British; who was a staunch nationalist and anti-imperialist; and who was prepared to make any sort of sacrifice for the cause is in which he believed. This study is an important addition to the literature on freedom struggle and the role of Punjab during colonial India.
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vailable from
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haheed Udham Singh Welfare Centre, 346 Soho Road, Birmingham B21 9Ql [Tel:0121-551 4679]
iii) Commemoration Meeting
Shaheed Udham Singh Welfare Trust
Commemoration Meeting 59th Anniversary of Shaheed Udham Singh Martyrdom
31 July 1999, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. 346 Soho Road, Birmingham B21
Programme: 5.00 p.m. Seminar on the life of Shaheed Udham Singh, 7.00 p.m. Cultural & Social Programme
Refreshments will be provided
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