About Martyrs’ Day
Martyrs' Day, or Shaheed Diwas, is observed on 30 January, the day Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead at Birla House in New Delhi in 1948. The nation keeps two minutes' silence at 11 am for Gandhi and all who died in the freedom struggle. In 2027 it falls on Saturday, 30 January 2027.
What happened on 30 January 1948?
On 30 January 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead at Birla House in New Delhi while walking to his evening prayer meeting. It was about 5:17 pm. Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist from Pune, stepped out of the crowd and fired three shots at close range. Gandhi was 78.
He had been living at Birla House, the home of the industrialist Ghanshyamdas Birla, for the last 144 days of his life, in two small rooms, and held prayer meetings on the lawn behind the house. Ten days earlier, on 20 January, the same group of conspirators had set off an explosive at a prayer meeting there in a failed attempt on his life. The house is now the Gandhi Smriti museum, and a small column marks the spot where he fell. The road outside was renamed Tees January Marg, "30 January Road".
That evening Jawaharlal Nehru spoke to the country on All India Radio without a prepared text.
Friends and comrades, the light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere.
Godse and his co-conspirator Narayan Apte were tried, sentenced to death on 8 November 1949 and hanged at Ambala Jail on 15 November 1949. Others involved received life terms.
How is Martyrs' Day observed in India?
Martyrs' Day is observed with a national two-minute silence at 11 am on 30 January. The Ministry of Home Affairs asks that work and movement stop across the country for those two minutes, in memory of everyone who gave their life in the struggle for India's freedom. Where sirens exist, a warning siren sounds from 10:59 to 11:00 and an all-clear from 11:02 to 11:03. Offices, schools and factories without sirens are told to observe the silence at 11 am by instruction.
- MorningRaj Ghat
The President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Defence Minister and service chiefs lay wreaths at Gandhi's memorial.
- MorningLast Post
Armed forces buglers sound the Last Post, and an all-faith prayer meeting follows.
- 11:00 amTwo minutes' silence
Work and movement stop nationwide; people stand where they are.
- Through the daySchools and offices
Assemblies, readings from Gandhi's writings, bhajans he loved, and talks on non-violence.
At Raj Ghat, the prayer meeting draws on several faiths, reflecting Gandhi's own prayer meetings, which included Hindu, Muslim, Christian and other readings. Schools often sing "Vaishnava Jana To", a Gujarati hymn by Narsinh Mehta that Gandhi valued, and "Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram". Many Gandhian institutions also call the day Sarvodaya Divas, after his idea of "the welfare of all".
Martyrs' Day is not a public holiday. Offices stay open and simply pause at 11 am.
Why does India have more than one Martyrs' Day?
India has several days called Martyrs' Day or Shaheed Diwas because different states and services remember different sacrifices. The 30 January observance is the national one. The others are real and deeply felt, so check which one the person you are writing to means.
| Date | Name | Who is remembered |
|---|---|---|
| 30 January | Martyrs' Day, Shaheed Diwas | Mahatma Gandhi and all who died in the freedom struggle; national silence at 11 am |
| 15 February | Bihar Shaheed Diwas | 34 freedom fighters killed by police at a flag-hoisting in Tarapur, Munger, in 1932 |
| 23 March | Shaheed Diwas | Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar and Shivaram Rajguru, hanged in Lahore in 1931 |
| 19 May | Bhasha Shaheed Divas | 11 people killed in Silchar, Assam, in 1961 during the Bengali language movement |
| 21 October | Police Commemoration Day | Ten police personnel killed at Hot Springs, Ladakh, on 21 October 1959, and all police who died on duty since |
The 23 March observance has its own page, Shaheed Diwas. Gandhi's birth anniversary on 2 October, Gandhi Jayanti, is also kept by the UN as the International Day of Non-Violence.
What should you write on Martyrs' Day?
A Martyrs' Day message should be a line of remembrance, not a greeting. Avoid "Happy". Say whom you are remembering, and if you can, connect it to something the reader does: keeping the silence, teaching a child, choosing calm over anger.
Today at 11, let's stop for two minutes wherever we are and remember Bapu and everyone who gave their lives so we could be free.
A reminder that the nation keeps two minutes' silence at 11 am today for Martyrs' Day. We'll pause the call at 10:59.
On Martyrs' Day we remember Gandhiji, who asked us to fight injustice without hatred. Thank you for teaching that to our children.
Thinking of 30 January 1948 today. Gandhiji died on his way to prayer, still arguing for peace between communities. That still asks something of all of us.
On Martyrs' Day, remembering your grandfather and all who went to jail or to their deaths for this country. Your family's story is part of ours.
Two minutes at 11 am. For Bapu, and for every Indian who died so the rest of us could live free. #MartyrsDay
Do
- Keep the message short and quiet in tone.
- Mention Gandhi by name, or the specific martyrs you mean.
- Keep the 11 am silence yourself before you remind others to.
Avoid
- Don't write "Happy Martyrs' Day" or use festive stickers, confetti or party emojis.
- Don't use the day to praise the assassin or to score points against any community or party.
- Don't mix up 30 January with 23 March; if you mean Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru, say so.
How to wish someone on Martyrs’ Day
Martyrs' Day is a day of remembrance, so a message should honour rather than celebrate. Never write "Happy Martyrs' Day". Name Gandhi or the freedom fighters you are remembering, mention the 11 am silence or a value they died for, such as non-violence or harmony between communities, and keep it short. A quiet line to family or a team is enough.
Write a few lines in your own words, pick a design and share it as one link on WhatsApp, Instagram or anywhere else. They open an animated card made just for them, with no app and no sign-up.
Language tip: English, Hindi + recipient language.
When is Martyrs’ Day in 2026 and 2027?
Martyrs’ Day is on 30 Jan every year. Only the weekday changes.
- 2026
- 2027
Frequently asked questions
When is Martyrs’ Day in 2027?
Martyrs’ Day 2027 falls on Saturday, 30 January 2027.
Why is Martyrs' Day observed on 30 January?
Martyrs' Day is observed on 30 January because Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on that day in 1948 at Birla House, New Delhi. The day also honours everyone who died in India's struggle for freedom.
What time is the two-minute silence on Martyrs' Day?
The two-minute silence on Martyrs' Day is kept at 11 am on 30 January across India. Where sirens are available, a warning siren sounds from 10:59 to 11:00 and an all-clear from 11:02 to 11:03.
Can you say "Happy Martyrs' Day"?
"Happy Martyrs' Day" is inappropriate because the day marks an assassination and the deaths of freedom fighters. Use words of remembrance instead, such as "Remembering Bapu on Martyrs' Day" or "Paying homage on Shaheed Diwas".
What is the difference between Martyrs' Day on 30 January and 23 March?
Martyrs' Day on 30 January remembers Mahatma Gandhi and all who died for India's freedom, and is the national observance with a silence at 11 am. Shaheed Diwas on 23 March remembers Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru, who were hanged in Lahore on that date in 1931.
Where was Mahatma Gandhi assassinated?
Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in the garden of Birla House on what is now Tees January Marg, New Delhi. The house is now the Gandhi Smriti museum, and a memorial column marks the spot where he was shot.
What happens at Raj Ghat on Martyrs' Day?
On Martyrs' Day the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Defence Minister and the heads of the armed forces lay wreaths at Raj Ghat, Gandhi's memorial in Delhi. The Last Post is sounded and an all-faith prayer meeting is held.
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