Shaheed Diwas 2024 (Martyr’s Day): Date, History, Significance, Quotes

Shaheed Diwas is observed on January 30 and March 23. On January 30, we pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and on March 23, we pay tribute to Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar.

It is a day on which the freedom fighters of the country are remembered for the sacrifice they made to gain freedom from the British rule.

On March 23, three freedom fighters who fought against British rule in India Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar were hanged to death in Lahore jail (currently in Pakistan). They were caught and sentenced to death in case of J P Saunders murder and attacking the Central Legislative Assembly.

Shaheed Diwas 2024 Date

Day	Shaheed Diwas
Also known as	Martyr’s Day
Date	January 30 and March 23
Upcoming Shaheed Diwas 2024	March 23, 2024

History of Shaheed Diwas

It was 30 October 1928, when Lala Lajpat Rai led a non-violent protest against Sir John Simon’s visit to Lahore with the famous ‘Simon, go back’ slogan.

Despite being a peaceful protest, Superintendent of Police James A Scott ordered the police to lathi charge the protesters giving fatal wounds to Lala Lajpat Rai. After his death, three young freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev along with the others decided to kill James Scott but accidentally killed another Superintendent of Police John P Saunders due to mistaken identity.

They again planned an attack on the Central Legislative Assembly to teach them a lesson for killing Rai and also to stop the passing of Public Safety Bill, and the Trade Dispute Act. On April 8, 1929 they bombed the Central Legislative Assembly but got caught at the instant. All three, Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru, were sentenced to death. The trio was hanged in the Lahore jail on March 23, 1931. At the time they were hanged, Singh, Sukhdev were 23 years old while Rajguru was only 22 years old.

On January 30, 1948, Nathuram Godse shot Mahatma Gandhi in New Delhi.

Significance & Celebration of Martyr’s Day

Shaheed Diwas is also observed every year on March 23 to pay tributes to Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar.

It is a day of remembrance of the freedom fighters who sacrificed themselves at a very young age in the movement to achieve independence of their country.

Although there is no official holiday on this day, many academic as well as political institutions observe this day in the praise of those three martyrs.

Many political leaders including the Prime Minister of India remember the martyrs and pay homage to them. Tributes are made by playing patriotic song and mourning for them.

A two-minute silence is observed in their memory. Martyr’s Day is also celebrated in many schools and debate and essay writing competitions based on patriotic theme are conducted. Patriotic plays and cultural events are also held in schools on this day.

Also Check: Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day

Shaheed Diwas 2024 Quotes and Wishes

Check out some inspirational patriotic quotes given by the freedom fighters of our country who gave their life for Swarajya.

They may kill me, but they cannot kill my ideas. They can crush my body, but they will not be able to crush my spirit.

Let us all be brave enough to die the death of a martyr, but let no one lust for martyrdom.

The martyr cannot be dishonoured. Every lash inflicted is a tongue of fame; every prison a more illustrious abode.

If yet your blood does not rage, then it is water that flows in your veins. For what is the flush of youth, if it is not of service to the motherland.

It is easy to kill individuals, but you cannot kill ideas.

They may torture my body, break my bones, even kill me. Then they will have my dead body, but not my obedience.

Inquilab Zindabad

Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna Ab Hamare Dil Me Hai, Dekhna Hai Zor Kitna Baazu-E-Kaatil Me Hai.

Oh, Lord! Grant me a hundred births in India. But grant me this, too, that each time I may give up my life in the service of the Motherland.

Martyrdom is a price one pays to ensure freedom for coming generations. Salute to all martyrs who ensured our freedom by sacrificing their lives.