Shaheed Diwas or Martyrs’ Day is annually observed across India on 23rd March to mark the death anniversary of Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar, the three revolutionaries of India who were executed by the British government.
- The Day also aims to pay tribute to courageous freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the independence of India.
Note: Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) annually organises Shaheed Diwas across India.
Background:
i.Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar , members of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), fought for the freedom of India.
ii.They were arrested for their involvement in the Lahore Conspiracy Case, which included the assassination of British police officer John Saunders in 1928.
iii.On 23rd March 1931, they were hanged to death by the British government in Lahore Central Jail (now in Pakistan).
Points to note:
i.The trio decided to kill Superintendent of Police, James Scott, who ordered the lathi charge on Lala Lajpat Rai. Due to mistaken identity, Bhagat Singh killed another police officer, James Saunders.
ii.Bhagat Singh and B.K. Dut threw a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly on 8th April, 1929, to protest against two draconian Bills: Trade Dispute Act and the Public Safety Bill.
Other Noted Martyrs Day observed in India:
i.30 January – death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (1948).
ii.19 May – Language Martyrs’ Day or Bhasha Shahid Divas commemorates the Bengali Language Movement (1912 to 1956).
iii.17 November – death anniversary of Lala Lajpat Ray(1928).
iv.19 November – Birth anniversary of Rani Lakshmibai
