Kathmandu, January 24

A life-size statue of martyr Sukraraj Shastri was unveiled today at Teku, where he was hanged by the then autocratic Rana rulers in January 1941 for initiating democratic movement in the country.

The statue was jointly inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ishwor Pokhrel, Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya and Deputy Mayor Hari Prabha Khadgi, marking the Martyrs’ Week, which began today.

Every year, Magh 16 in the Nepali calendar is marked as the National Martyrs’ Day, commemorating those who were executed by the autocratic Rana rulers and those who lost their lives in various movements for democracy. Minister Pokhrel said, “It is because of the sacrifice of great martyrs that we have got the gift of federal republic. All political parties and stakeholders should now work to protect the system and bring prosperity in the country.”

Mayor Shakya said, “Like the martyrs who have become immortal through their deeds, I too hope to do things that would change people’s lives.” The statue was constructed at the cost of one million rupees. Artist Mahesh Tuladhar had worked for four months to make the statue.

KMC has also scheduled various programmes to mark Martyrs’ Week. The programmes are being held at four different places in Kathmandu where the four leading martyrs — Shukraraj Shastri, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Gangalal Shrestha and Dashrath Chand — attained martyrdom.

While martyr Shukra Raj Shastri’s was commemorated today, a programme would be held at Sifal on January 27 to pay tribute to martyr Dharma Bhakta Mathema. Similarly, homage will be paid to martyrs Ganga Lal Shrestha and Dasharath Chand at Sobha Bhagawati, where they faced martyrdom, on January 29.

Programmes will be held at Sahid Park, Lainchaur, and Sahid Gate, Sundhara on January 30 to mark Martyrs’ Day.

Martyrs Shukra Raj Shastri and Dharma Bhakta Mathema were hanged on January 24 ,1941 in Teku. Maryrs Ganga Lal Shrestha and Dashrath Chand were shot dead for waging a struggle to overthrow the Rana regime on January 25 in the same year at Sobha Bagwati.