On January 30, 1948, the ‘Father of the Nation’ Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by a Hindu nationalist, Nathuram Godse. His death anniversary is commemorated as ‘Martyrs’ Day’ or ‘Shaheed Divas’. On the occasion, the Indian Government instructed all Central and State Government Departments to observe two minutes of silence.
“On behalf of a grateful nation, my humble tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi who embraced martyrdom this day. We should adhere to his ideals of peace, non-violence, simplicity, purity of means and humility. Let us resolve to follow his path of truth and love,” President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted.
“Tributes to the great Bapu on his Punya Tithi. His ideals continue to motivate millions. On Martyrs’ Day we recall the heroic sacrifices of all those great women and men who devoted themselves towards India’s freedom and the well-being of every Indian,” PM Narendra Modi tweeted.
In India, six days are observed as Martyrs’ Day or Sarvodaya Day. However, only the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is observed on a national scale. The other days are as follows:
- March 23 – The anniversary of the deaths of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar and Shivaram Rajguru, on 23 March 1931 in Lahore (Pakistan).
- May 19 – The killing of 15 people by state police during the Bengali Language Movement of Barak Valley in the state of Assam on 19 May 1961. The incident occurred at the Silchar railway station. The day is also declared to be ‘Bhasha Shahid Divas’ (Language Martyrs’ Day).
- October 21 – The day is observed as Police Martyrs’ Day also known as Police Commemoration Day.
- November 17 – Lala Lajpat Rai (1865–1928), ‘Lion of Punjab’ death anniversary is observed as Martyrs’ Day in Odisha.
- November 19 – Rani Lakshmi Bai’s birthday on 19th November 1828 is also observed as Martyrs’ Day.