Martyrs’ Day, also known as ‘Shaheed Divas’, is celebrated every year on January 30 to mark the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
India celebrates ‘Shaheed Divas’ on January 30 and March 23 to pay homage to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their Motherland.
Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, was assassinated on 30 January 1948. He was shot thrice by Nathuram Vinayak Godse, during his evening prayer at Birla Bhavan, Delhi. Godse, a Hindu nationalist, was sentenced to death in November 1949.
On the occasion of Martyrs Day, the top-most leadership of the country including President, Prime Minister, and Defence Minister gather at New Delhi’s Rajghat and pay tribute to Gandhiji. They are also joined by the service chiefs of the three defence forces to lay floral wreaths at his memorial.
Tributes to the Father of the Nation have poured in for his immense contribution to India’s freedom struggle through non-violent methods.
PM Modi tweeted, “Remembering Bapu on his Punya Tithi. It is our collective endeavor to further popularise his noble ideals.”
Today, on Martyrs’ Day, paying homage to all the greats who courageously safeguarded our nation. Their service and bravery will always be remembered, he added.
“We pay our tribute to the Father of the Nation on his death anniversary. On this day, also observed as Martyrs’ day, we salute all the brave men and women who laid their lives for the country,” Congress tweeted on Sunday.
Taking the ‘Hindus and Hindutvavadis’ debate forward, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Hindutvavadis feel that Gandhi is no more but he is still alive where there is truth.
“A Hindutvavadi had shot Gandhiji. All Hindutvavadis feel that Gandhiji is no more. Where there is truth, Bapu is still alive today! #GandhiForever,” he tweeted in Hindi.
(With inputs from agencies)
