Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
The iconic Shaheed Bhagat Singh Park, a 55-year-old landmark in the heart of Udham Singh Nagar district headquarter, Rudrapur, has long served as a hub for cultural, social, and religious gatherings. Spanning just over 150 square meters, the park recently underwent a significant transformation after years of neglect.
Earlier this year, the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sewa Samiti spearheaded efforts to restore the park’s glory, advocating tirelessly for its renovation. Their efforts bore fruit when local MLA Shiv Arora and MP Ajay Bhatt allocated nearly Rs 20 lakh for its beautification. The park was revitalized with fresh paint, new grills, enhanced greenery, and the replacement of its aged statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh with a human-height statue, expected to arrive soon.
However, a controversy has arisen over the park’s use. Arun Chugh, President of the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sewa Samiti, has voiced concerns over daily langar sewa organized by the Badri Kedar Sewa Samiti. According to Chugh, tents erected in the park for serving food not only clutter the space with disposable waste but also disrespect the martyr by allowing people to enter the area with shoes on and also spitting everywhere. “We reported the issue to the then District Magistrate Uday Raj Singh and the Rudrapur Municipal Corporation, which ordered the removal of the tents. However, the tents reappeared within days, and the langar resumed,” said Chugh.
Chugh clarified that his team does not oppose the langar but believes it should be conducted at a different location. “We are even willing to contribute to the initiative if it is organized elsewhere,” he added.
On the other hand, Ashok Gumber, a member of the Badri Kedar Sewa Samiti, countered the allegations and said, “Even Shaheed Bhagat Singh would have been happy to see the needy being fed in a park named after him. No official order to stop the langar sewa has been served to us.”
The issue has sparked a debate over balancing the sanctity of the park with its use for humanitarian efforts. As the matter remains unresolved, questions persist about the appropriate use of this historic space dedicated to one of India’s greatest martyrs.
