Ludhiana: A persistent grassroots campaign by war veterans and local activists has successfully forced the return of a hallowed war memorial to its original home, ending years of controversy over the perceived commercialisation of the city’s historic landmarks.The relocation of the Maha Vir Chakra recipient Major Bhupinder Singh’s statue and his captured Patton tank to Bharat Nagar Chowk is being hailed as a major win for heritage over advertising, following a standoff with authorities who had initially handed the site to private firms.Campaign Against CommercialisationThe push to restore the 1965 war hero’s memorial intensified in 2024 following the completion of the Ferozepur Road elevated flyover. Residents and shopkeepers grew outraged when the site was earmarked for maintenance by a private company, which activists claimed would prioritize advertising space over national history.“This marks an important step towards restoring Ludhiana’s heritage and honoring the memory of a national hero,” a spokesperson for the Public Action Committee (PAC) Mattewara said.The movement gained significant momentum when the Western Command of the Army intervened, liaising directly with deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain. Local shopkeepers launched a formal petitioning process in mid-2024. Activists leveraged social media and staged public protests to highlight the “neglect” of national martyrs.Restoring Dignity and IdentityBeyond the physical move, campaigners are now demanding that the restoration meet strict standards of “dignity and decorum.” PAC member Jaskirat Singh emphasized that the memorial’s new design, lighting, and placement must ensure high visibility and safety.Community leaders are also calling for a cultural correction. Amandeep Singh Bains noted that the original name, “Bharat Nagar Chowk,” must be prominently displayed, with damaged signage replaced by uniform boards featuring Punjabi script in accordance with local law.MSID:: 130086222 413 |
