Martyrs’ Day or Shaheed Diwas 2023: India commemorates all of the liberation fighters who gave their life for the nation on January 30, 2023, as Martyrs’ Day or Shaheed Diwas. The day is also marked as the death anniversary of the nation’s ‘Bapu’, Mahatma Gandhi. On this day in 1948, Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse in the compound of Birla House after one of his routine multi-faith prayer meetings. Godse, a member of Hindu Mahasabha, blamed Gandhi for favouring the Muslim community during the partition of India in 1947. According to legend, Gandhi said “Hey Ram” as his final words.
January 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Notably, Martyrs’ Day is also observed in India on March 23 to pay respect to Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar, who was hanged death on this day in 1931.
Significance of Shaheed Diwas
The significance of Shaheed Diwas comes from the fact that Mahatma Gandhi, regarded as the “Father of the Nation,” organised significant nonviolent resistance activities to British rule. His death anniversary is observed as Shaheed Diwas or Martyrs’ Day, and his philosophy was based on the principles of non-violence, the fight for truth (satyagraha), and political and individual freedom (Swaraj).
India commemorates Martyrs’ Day on January 30 by paying respects to Mahatma Gandhi’s Samadhi at Raj Ghat in Delhi. The President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Defense Minister, and the three Service Chiefs (Army, Air Force, And Navy) pay their respects to the father of the nation.
About Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi was born on 2nd October 1869 in Porbandar city of Gujarat. He went to London to complete his law degree and then went to South Africa to practice barrister. When he was in South Africa, he observed that Indians were treated poorly and belonged to a lower section of people along with the other people of color.
He joined the Indian National Congress in 1915. During this time, he started various movements to fight against British rule in India which affected the nation severely. The various movements include Quit India Movement, the Dandi March, and the Non-cooperation Movement. He was known as ‘Bapu’. He chooses the path of non-violence to fight against the injustice of the British government. He also opposed the partition of India.
In modern Indian history, Mahatma Gandhi remains one of the greatest freedom fighters in India. His thoughts and view of fighting against the British government influenced all Indians to come together and raise their voice. He chooses satyagraha and ahimsa over guns and wars to achieve the Independence of India. The philosophies, thoughts, and ideas will always remain embedded in the ethos and culture of India.