Martyr Diwas 2023: History, Theme and Important Facts

Martyr Diwas 2023 is observed on 30th January every year to mark the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. On 30th January 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated at the age of 78 years in the compound of Birla House, New Delhi. Mahatma Gandhi was one of the biggest and most influential Freedom Fighters in India. He was declared the “Father of the Nation” after India got Independence. He was a staunch believer in non-violence and satyagraha and he had complete faith that he will be able to attain Independence fo India upon the foundation of peace and non-violence.

Martyr Diwas 2023 Significance

Martyr Diwas is observed on 30th January every year as the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. He was assassinated while he was returning from a prayer session on the afternoon of 30th January 1948. He was shot thrice in the chest by Nathuram Godse. Martyr day is observed to reminisce the values and preachings of Mahatma Gandhi.

Martyr Diwas 2023 History

Mahatma Gandhi, born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, on 2nd October 1869. He studies law and went to South Africa to practice law. However, the discrimination and oppressive policy of British rule in South Africa against Africans and Indians influenced Gandhi to start protesting against it. His Civil Disobedience Movement against racial discrimination for 20 years in South Africa made him popular in India as well. Thus when he came back to India, the masses embraced him as a leader and followed his path of non-violence.

Indian Freedom Struggle became more powerful and widespread under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. Some of the significant movements of Mahatma Gandhi are Champaram Movement in 1917, Kheda Movement in  1918, Khilafat Movement in 1919, Non-cooperation Movement in 1920, Quit India Movement in 1942, and Civil Disobedience Movement.

What was Mahatma Gandhi Killed by Godse?

Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse on 30th January 1948. According to the statement given by Godse in court as an explanation for his deed, he explains that he had to kill Gandhi because of Gandhi’s inclination and pro-Muslim stance particularly due to the last few years of his life.

Gandhi’s pro-Muslim fast during the riots of Noakhali where Gandh’s stubbornness against the Indian Government’s decision to not release the funds to Pakistan at one go seemed unfair to Godse. Eventually, by January 1948, Pakistan had already attacked India’s Jammu and Kashmir area which resulted in a ceasefire by the UN and Pakistan’s illegal and immoral occupation of Kashmir (Now known as Pak-Occupied Kashmir).

Godse believed that Gandhi had started misusing his influence and without ever taking any position within the Indian Government, he compelled the Government of India to obey his whims and fancies. In his last statement, he mentions all these reasons “goaded me to the conclusion that the existence of Gandhi should be brought to an end immediately.

Martyr Diwas 2023 Date

To commemorate the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, 30th January is observed as the Martyr Diwas every year. People organise programs and bhajans to spread the values and preachings of Mahatma Gandhi on non-violence, unity and morality.

Martyr Diwas 2023 Quotes

Here are some of the most famous and significant quotes by Mahatma Gandhi. By reading these, one will realise that Mahatma Gandhi was one of the most profound thinkers in India and the World has ever witnessed.

• “An ounce of patience is worth more than a tonne of preaching.”
• “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”
• “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
• “A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes.”
• “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
• “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
• “An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”
• “You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.”
• “See the good in people and help them.”
• “You must be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

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