New Delhi, January 30: Martyrs' Day or Shaheed Diwas will be observed today as nation recalls the infamous assassination of Mahatma Gandhi on his 71st death anniversary. The "father of the nation" was murdered on this day in 1948 by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu Mahasabha leader who had charged the Mahatma of acting against the interests of the nation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and leaders cutting across political lines will pay homage to Gandhi at the Rajghat -- the memorial at the site where he was cremated. Mahatma Gandhi Had Threatened to Leave Delhi if Security Imposed by Govt, Says Personal Secretary Kalyanam.

The Indian National Congress, which claims the legacy of Gandhi -- who served as the president of the party on various occasions during the pre-independence period -- remains at the forefront of honouring him at the Martyrs' Day.

The ruling BJP, however, has a section of its leaders who also hold reverence for the assassin of Gandhi. The most prominent among them is the party's Lok Sabha lawmaker from UP, Sakshi Maharaj, who had described Godse as a "patriot".

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally in Amethi last year, said the BJP-RSS leaders pay lip service to Gandhi, "but consider Godse as their icon".

 

The Day When Gandhi Was Murdered by Godse:

On the morning of January 30, 1948, Gandhi addressed the prayer meeting at Birla House in the national capital, as per his routine schedule. After the prayer, he was meeting his supporters. Masqueraded among them were three men, including Nathuram Godse -- who wore a Nehru shirt, pajama and jacket. He approached towards Gandhi, removed his revolver and pumped three bullets right into the chest of the man revered as "bapu" by the nation. With the final words "Hey Ram", the 78-year-old Mahatma fall -- leaving a void to this day in Indian public life.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 30, 2019 05:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).