30th January: Martyrs’ Day

On 30 January, Martyrs’ Day is celebrated in India to pay homage to the victims who fought for the freedom, welfare, and progress of India.

The Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi was murdered by Nathuram Godse in the Birla House during his evening prayers on 30 January 1948. Gandhi Ji was a freedom fighter, a simple man with huge determination, a man who had sacrificed his life for the independence, welfare, and development of India.

Nathuram Godse was trying to justify his crime by holding Gandhi Ji and saying that he is responsible for the partition of the country and the killing of thousands during the freedom struggle. He called Gandhi Ji a pretender and in no way felt guilty for his crime. On 8th November, Godse was sentenced to death. So, on this day i.e. 30 January Bapu breathed his last and was martyred. The Government of India announced the day as Shaheed Diwas or Martyr’s Day.

Martyrs Day or Shaheed Diwas sees the President, Vice President, Prime Minister and Defence Minister gather at Mahatma Gandhi’s Samadhi at Raj Ghat. The top-most leaders of the country lay wreaths in remembrance of the Mahatma.