January 30: Martyrs' Day in India
Céline Arétin, head of cultural, women's and environmental topics, January 30, 2025
Origin of Martyrs' Day
Martyrs' Day in India, celebrated on January 30, commemorates the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948. He was killed in New Delhi as he was on his way to his evening prayer at Birla House, by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu extremist who blamed him for his calls for non-violence after the partition of India and Pakistan. Godse fired three shots from a Beretta pistol at point-blank range, causing his death on the spot. His last words are said to have been "Hey Ram", although this is disputed. After his assassination, his body was carried on an ox cart through Delhi, followed by a grieving crowd. On January 31, a national day of mourning was declared and his funeral pyre was set up at Raj Ghat. Nathuram Godse and his accomplice Narayan Apte were tried and hanged in 1949.
The different commemoration dates in India
January 30 is the main national date, in memory of Mahatma Gandhi. March 23 commemorates the execution of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev in 1931, who fought against British colonization. On May 19, the state of Assam pays tribute to the martyrs of the 1961 language movement uprising. October 21 is dedicated to police officers killed in the line of duty, notably those killed by Chinese forces in 1959 in Ladakh. November 17 honors Lala Lajpat Rai, who died in 1928 after being injured during a protest against the Simon Commission. Finally, December 17 pays tribute to Major Shaitan Singh and the soldiers who fell during the Battle of Rezang La in 1962.
Official ceremonies
The main commemoration takes place at Raj Ghat, in New Delhi, where the President and the Prime Minister lay wreaths at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial. A minute of silence is observed at 11 a.m. in tribute to the martyrs, to the sound of a bugle. In several states, tributes are paid to regional heroes, as in Hussainiwala, where Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev are honored. The purpose of this day is to instill a sense of patriotism and gratitude toward those who fought against British colonial rule. It is also a moment of reflection on the values of peace and non-violence advocated by Gandhi.