Shaheed Diwas observed on March 23 and January 30 in India

Key facts

• Shaheed Diwas is observed annually on March 23 to honour the sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar.
• The three revolutionaries were executed by the British government on March 23, 1931, for their role in the Indian freedom struggle.
• India also observes Shaheed Diwas on January 30 to mark the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948.
• The historical background of the March 23 observance is linked to the 1928 protests against the Simon Commission, which lacked Indian representation.
• Lala Lajpat Rai, popularly known as Punjab Kesari, died after sustaining injuries during a police lathi charge in Lahore while protesting the Simon Commission.
• Bhagat Singh defined revolution as an inalienable right of mankind and freedom as an imperishable birthright of all.