Thursday 17 February 2022

Martyrs' Day or Shaheed Diwas

 The most important Martyrs’ Day is celebrated on January 30, the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The second most popular Martyrs’ Day is on March 23, the day when Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged in 1931.

The President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, and the Defence Minister assemble at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat memorial on January 30 and pay respects to Indian martyrs and Mahatma Gandhi. People observe a two-minute silence in the memory of Indian freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives.

Many schools organise functions on this day and students perform patriotic songs and plays.

There are a total of seven Martyrs’ Days celebrated in India. Here’s what you should know about them:

1. January 30

Martyr’s Day is celebrated on this day to remember Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary.

After India became independent in 1947, Gandhi continued to promote peace and brotherhood In the nation and carried on his work to preach nonviolence as a means towards political and social progress.

This earned him the title of ‘Father of the Nation’ and he became famous for his peaceful policies across the world. He had led several agitations which helped India achieve independence.

On January 30, 1948, he was assassinated by Nathuram Godse during the evening prayers at Gandhi Smriti at the Birla House.

The day was then declared as Shaheed Diwas by the central government.


2. March 23

On March 23, 1930, Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar were hanged to death by the British in Lahore Jail.

He and his two companions had gotten a murder charge thrown at them by the British after they threw smoke bombs and political handouts at the Central Legislative Assembly on April 8, 1929, while shouting slogan ‘Inqilab Zindabad’.

The trio’s bent towards revolution was markedly different from Gandhi’s nonviolence-related policies. But their work was crucial in achieving freedom from the hands of the British.

Martyrs’ Day is celebrated on March 23 to remember these brave, young freedom fighters.

3. May 19

Shaheed Diwas is celebrated on May 19 in Assam to remember the 15 people who were killed by the state police on May 19, 1961, at Silchar railway station.

The event took place as part of Barak Valley’s Bengali Language Movement, a protest against the Assam government’s decision to make Assamese the only official language of the state even though a large chunk of the population were Sylheti-speaking Bengalis.

The day was designated as Bhasha Shaheed Diwas or Language Martyrs’ Day.

4. July 13

Jammu and Kashmir celebrates July 13 as Kashmir Martyrs Day to remember 22 people who were killed by royal soldiers on July 13, 1931, when demonstrating against the rule of Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir.

5. November 17

Odisha celebrates November 17 as Shaheed Diwas or Martyrs’ Day to remember famous freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai on his death anniversary.

Also known as the ‘Lion of Punjab’, Lala Lajpat Rai was instrumental in gaining India’s independence.

Rai led a non-violent protest against the Simon Commission when it visited Lahore in 1928. The police struck back with a lethal lathi charge and Lala Lajpat Rai was grievously injured.

He eventually died on November 17, 1928, of a heart attack.

6. November 19

Jhansi celebrates November 19, the birth anniversary of Rami Lakshmibai, as Martyrs’ Day.

The great queen of the Maratha-ruled princely state of Jhansi sacrificed her life during the 1857 revolt.


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