Martyrs’ Day in India is observed each year on January 30 in memory of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. On this day in 1948, Gandhi was brutally murdered in New Delhi by a Hindu nationalist named Nathuram Godse. His death sent shockwaves through the country and throughout the world, leaving a great gap in the battle for peace and non-violence.
Gandhi was affectionately referred to as Bapu. He was the symbol of resistance against British colonial rule and a follower of non-violent civil disobedience. His ideologies on truth (Satya) and non-violence (Ahimsa) inspired millions into action, and Gandhi was instrumental to India’s struggle for independence. But his legacy extends far beyond freedom. It is ultimately a reminder of the power of peaceful resistance in a torn-apart world.
The Value of Remembering 30 January
On Martyrs’ Day this year, NICON invites you to be reflective about Gandhi’s teachings. On this day, the President, Prime Minister, and other leaders gather at Raj Ghat-the memorial of Gandhi in Delhi-to pay homage. Two minutes of silence are observed by whole of India at 11 AM, the same time when Godse assassinated Gandhi. Schools, colleges, and institutions hold events to honour the life and thoughts of Gandhi.
How ironic, then, that pride draws its breath from the violence that took his life. Godse was not in agreement with Gandhi’s position on Partition and was insistent on Hindu-Muslim unity. This turned a tragic end demonstrates how hard it is to maintain peace in an already starkly divided world.
Gandhi’s Legacy in the Modern Context
Never before has Gandhi’s message regarding peace and unity been so seriously relevant. Non-violence recommends a solid way of coexistence and solving problems in a world upset with wars, disparity, and crises of climate and growing rights issues. Much of the lessoned. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela, and such mostly owe their methodologies to him.
However, Gandhi’s legacy is controversial at best. Critics point out his early views on race and caste as an imperfection in an otherwise extraordinary life. With his ability to develop and accept errors made along the way, he comes across as a deeply human character whose life expresses the necessity of evolution and self-examination.
A Day for Reflection and Action
Martyr’s Day, then, is not just a historical event, but a time for calling ourselves to consider how we can put Gandhi’s principles into practice in our daily lives. Can we stand for peace with tolerance in the face of hatred? Can we dialogue instead of resorting to violence? These are questions to ponder as we pay tribute to the man who said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
While the world and India remember Gandhi on the 30th of January, let us not just celebrate him but strive to live by his ideals. Indeed, the best way to honor a martyr is to keep the vision alive.