Martyrs’ Week, observed in honor of those who sacrificed their lives for the establishment of democracy in Nepal, has commenced today.
Coordinated by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, the week is observed annually from January 23 to 29 (Magh 10 to 16) to pay tribute to the immortal martyrs.
On the first day of Martyrs’ Week, Deputy Mayor of Kathmandu Sunita Dangol, along with other officials and locals, paid homage to Shukraraj Shastri by garlanding his statue at Teku, where he was executed.
Born in 1893 AD (1950 BS) in Varanasi, Shastri was actively involved in awakening people against autocratic rule through religious campaigns. He was arrested from Indra Chowk, Kathmandu, and imprisoned. On January 23, 1941 (Magh 10, 1997 BS), the Rana regime hanged him at Teku Pachali’s Kharibot.
In 1979 (2035 BS), the then Kathmandu Municipality installed a plaque at the site of his execution to preserve his memory.