Martyrs' Day (India)

In India, there are several days declared as Martyrs' Day (at national level also known as Sarvodaya day). They are named in honour of those who are recognised as martyrs for the nation.

30 January

30 January is the date observed at the national level. The date was chosen as it marks the assassination of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in 1948, by Nathuram Godse.[1] On Martyr’s Day the president, the vice president, the prime minister, the defence minister, and the three Service Chiefs gather at the samadhi at Raj Ghat memorial and lay wreaths decorated with multi-colour flowers. The armed forces personnel blow bugles sounding the Last Post. The inter-services contingent reverse arms as a mark of respect. A two-minute silence in memory of Indian martyrs is observed throughout the country at 11 AM. Participants hold all-religion prayers and sing tributes.[2]

23 March

The anniversary of the deaths of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar and Shivaram Rajguru on 23 March 1931, in Lahore (Pakistan), is declared to be Martyr's Day.[3]

21 October

21 October is Police Martyrs' Day (or Police Commemoration Day), observed by police departments nationwide. On this date in 1959, a Central Reserve Police Force patrol at the Indo-Tibetan border in Ladakh was ambushed by Chinese forces as part of the ongoing Sino-Indian border dispute.[4]

17 November

Orissa observes 17 November, the death anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai (1865–1928), the "Lion of Punjab", a leader in the Indian fight for freedom from the British Raj.[5]

19 November

The birthday of Rani Lakshmibai, 19 November 1828, queen of the Maratha-ruled princely state of Jhansi, is observed as Martyrs' Day in the region, and honours those who gave their lives in the rebellion of 1857, of which she was a leading figure.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Martyrs' Day from the Indian government Press Information Bureau
  2. ↑ Faisal, Mohammad (29 January 2018). "Why India celebrates Martyr's Day, or Shaeed Diwas, on January 30". India Today. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "The muffled voice of rebellion". The Statesman. 29 March 2011. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  4. ↑ "Police Martyrs Day 21 October". Telangana News Paper. Banglore. 21 October 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  5. ↑ "Death anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai" (PDF). Government of Orissa. Archived from the original (pdf) on 2011-11-23. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
  6. ↑ "Rani of Jhansi birthday". South Asian Research Centre for Advertisement, Journalism, and Cartoons. 19 November 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
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