KATHMANDU, Jan 29: A memorial programme was held on Thursday at Shobha Bhagwati along the Bishnumati riverbank, the site where martyrs Gangalal Shrestha and Dasharath Chand were executed.
The programme was organised by the Martyrs’ Week Organising Committee as part of a week-long series of events.
Speaking at the programme, Acting Chief of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Sunita Dangol said the sacrifices made for civil liberties, human rights, good governance, and national dignity must never be forgotten. She stressed that protecting the rights earned through the martyrs’ sacrifices requires citizens to act responsibly and uphold democratic values.
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Ward No. 15 Chair and Finance Committee Coordinator Ishwarman Dangol said the time had come for citizens and elected representatives alike to reflect on whether the gains achieved through such sacrifices were being meaningfully realised. “There is no need to sacrifice one’s life today; it is enough to work with citizens’ interests at the centre,” he said.
Ward No. 18 Chair Nhuchhekaji Maharjan also paid tribute, saying that betraying the dreams of martyrs who endured severe repression in the hope of securing freedom for future generations would be unjust.
Gangalal Shrestha and Dasharath Chand were executed on January 28, 1941, for opposing autocratic rule and advocating democracy. Chand, born in Baitadi, had earlier participated in Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha movement in India, while Shrestha, a native of Bhangeri in Ramechhap, joined the anti-Rana movement while studying at Tri-Chandra College and spoke in favour of freedom at Nepal’s first political assembly in Indra Chowk.
The execution site now houses a memorial pillar along with half-length and full-length statues of the two martyrs. Kathmandu Metropolitan City added the full-length statues around six years ago to preserve the site as a place of remembrance and historical learning for future generations.
As part of Martyrs’ Week, tributes were earlier paid to Shukraraj Shastri at Teku on Jan 24 and to Dharma Bhakta Mathema at Sifal on Jan 27.
On the final day of Martyrs’ Day tomorrow, a morning rally will begin from Shanti Batika at 8:00 am, followed by a memorial gathering at Martyrs’ Park, Lainchaur, at 9:00 am, which is expected to be attended by the Prime Minister and senior officials. Ward No. 23 will also organise a separate memorial programme at Dharma Bhakta Mathema Park in Ombahal.
