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Kathmandu, Jan 30: Martyrs’ Day is being observed across Nepal today with a range of programs to honor those who lost their lives in struggles for democracy, national sovereignty, freedom, and citizens’ rights.

The country follows a week-long tradition of remembrance, ending today with a special tribute ceremony at Martyrs’ Park in Lainchaur. The main program begins with a morning procession from Shanti Batika, featuring bands from the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, a march past, and a carriage carrying portraits of martyrs. The procession will conclude at Lainchaur, where a formal tribute event will take place. The prime minister, cabinet members, senior government officials, elected representatives, and heads of security agencies are scheduled to attend.

The government has declared a public holiday for the day. Although the central government had earlier scrapped the holiday, it decided in 2024 to reinstate it from 2025 onward.

Martyrs’ Day marks the sacrifice of key figures who opposed the Rana regime. On January 23, 1941, Shukraraj Shastri was executed at Teku for inspiring resistance through the Praja Parishad. Dharma Bhakta Mathema was hanged on January 26 the same year, while Dasharath Chand and Gangalal Shrestha were shot dead on January 28 at Shobha Bhagwati. Lakhan Thapa is recognized as Nepal’s first martyr. The day has been formally observed every year on January 30 since 1956.

Separately, the interim election government has decided to mark September 8 each year as Gen Z Martyrs’ Day, in memory of 76 people killed during youth led protests against corruption and disorder in 2024 that led to the fall of the KP Sharma Oli government.

In recent years, public concern has grown over the practice of declaring victims of disputes or accidents as martyrs without clear criteria. Many say this weakens the meaning of martyrdom. While leaders repeat commitments to fulfill martyrs’ dreams each year, criticism persists that words have not matched action, including doubts about the current interim government’s conduct after the Gen Z movement.

People’s News Monitoring Service