Dharwad to remember its martyrs

Dharwad: It has been 99 years since Dharwad saw a police firing in which three khilafat activists were killed. On July 1, 1921, three Khilafat activists who were picketing in front of a liquor shop near Jakani Bhavi circle in Dharwad were shot and killed by the British.
Those were the days of non-cooperation movement at its peak and it shook the British. Dharwad was actively participating in the movement.Picketing in front of liquor shops was part of the movement.
The British government had imprisoned six people who had earlier picketed in front of liquor shops in the city. To protest this, hundreds of people had gathered near Jakani Bhavi on July 1, 1921 and were picketing.
To quell the mob, Painter, the then British Collector of Dharwad district had ordered police to open fire. The police action had resulted in the death of three persons Maliksab alias Mardansab, Goususab alias Khadersab and Abdul Gafar Chokathai.
Every year, July 1 was being observed as Martyr’s Day in Dharwad and people were holding protest meetings and some used to fast as a mark of respect to the martyrs. There were folk songs condemning those who did not pay respect to the martyrs.
During the 25th Independence Day a ‘Martyr Memorial’ was erected at the spot where the three persons were killed. From then onwards, martyr’s day is observed at the memorial by paying tributes to those who sacrificed their lives. Accordingly, a programme will be organized at Hutatma Chowk near Jakani Bhavi on Wednesday morning by following lockdown protocols and people will pay floral tributes to the martyrs.
Social activist Uday Yandigeri has appealed to citizens to visit the memorial on Wednesday and pay homage to the martyrs.