The Punjab government has sought Britain’s assistance in accessing films, tapes and other archival documentation related to the trial proceedings of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru.
Chief minister Bhagwant Mann made the request in a letter to British deputy high commissioner Alba Smeriglio on January 9. “It is learnt that original audio/video recordings and archival documentation pertaining to the trial proceedings of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar and Shaheed Shivaram Hari Rajguru are presently held by concerned authorities in Scotland, reportedly preserved within a museum/institution maintaining historical legal archives of that era,” he wrote.
The CM further stated that these records hold profound historical and emotional significance for the people of Punjab, as well as for global scholars of history and human rights. “The government of Punjab seeks access to these archival materials for academic study, digital preservation and public exhibition at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Heritage Complex, Khatkar Kalan, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district,” he wrote, seeking copies of the material. He urged the deputy high commissioner to take up the matter with the authorities in Scotland, adding that early and positive consideration would be appreciated.