9 months on, Udham Singh’s museum waits for its exhibits
SANGRUR: Nine months after its inauguration, martyr Udham Singh’s museum is yet to be embellished with his valuable articles and belongings that are gathering dust at various places in and outside the country.
The museum was inaugurated at his memorial in his native village in Sunam by the then CM Capt Amarinder Singh on July 31, 2021, but there is nothing to exhibit as the local administration and government failed to shift any of his belongings to the museum.
As of now, Udham Singh’s belongings are lying at various places in Punjab, including GNDU, Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Hall, Jalandhar, government college in Sunam, at his acquaintance’s place in Mandi Gobindgarh and Black museum in Scotland Yard.
Rakesh Kumar, a resident of Sunam who wrote five research books on Udham Singh and also discovered Bhagar Singh’s secret hideout in Turi Bazar of Ferozepur, said that two urns (kalash) bearing mortal remains of Udham Singh are gathering dust at a library of Shaheed Udham Singh Arts College in Sunam. A copy of ‘Heer’, a poetic love story, signed by Udham Singh is lying at Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Hall, Jalandhar.
An original picture of the martyr that he had given to his friend Bawa Bishan is with the latter’s son Avtar Singh, who lives in Mandi Gobindgarh.
Besides this, at least 14 original letters, written by Udham Singh have been kept at the library of GNDU, Amritsar.
His other belongings, including two pocket diaries, a pistol, which he used to kill former Punjab governor Michael O’ Dwyera, a cobbler knife, 2 empty cartridge cases, his clothes and other articles are lying at Black museum at Scotland Yard.
“What is the purpose of making his museum if there is nothing to exhibit?” said Rakesh.
Anil Kumar, vice president of Gadri Shaheed Udham Singh Vichar Manch, said, “the government and administration should shift all of his belongings to his museum. At least the belongings that are lying at various places in the state should be brought here at the earliest.”
Sunam SDM Jaspreet Singh said, “as of now there is lack of security arrangements at the memorial. First, the local municipal committee will take it in its jurisdiction and then proper security arrangements will be made. After that we will shift all belongings of the martyr to the museum. A resolution has already been passed by the local municipal committee to take it in its jurisdiction and sent to the director of local government.”