Leaders across party lines pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on 78th death anniversary

Remembering Gandhi, PM Modi wrote over a post on X: “My hundredfold salutations to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, on his death anniversary. Revered Bapu always laid strong emphasis on Swadeshi, which is also a fundamental pillar of our resolve for a developed and self-reliant India. His personality and deeds will forever continue to inspire the people of the country to walk the path of duty.”

राष्ट्रपिता महात्मा गांधी को उनकी पुण्यतिथि पर मेरा शत-शत नमन। पूज्य बापू का हमेशा स्वदेशी पर बल रहा, जो विकसित और आत्मनिर्भर भारत के हमारे संकल्प का भी आधारस्तंभ है। उनका व्यक्तित्व और कृतित्व देशवासियों को कर्तव्य पथ पर चलने के लिए सदैव प्रेरित करता रहेगा।

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 30, 2026

Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India’s nonviolent freedom struggle, was assassinated on his way to a prayer meeting at Birla Bhawan in Delhi on January 30, 1948. His assassination was an appalling occurrence in Indian history, and since then, this day has been marked as Martyr’s Day to remember not only Gandhi but all those who gave their lives for the country’s freedom.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta were also present at the site.

VIDEO | President Droupadi Murmu (@rashtrapatibhvn), Vice President CP Radhakrishnan (@VPIndia) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) paid tribute to Mahatama Gandhi at the Raj Ghat on the occassion of his 78th Death Anniversary. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was also… pic.twitter.com/LO5aO2BYHz

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 30, 2026

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also paid “humble” tributes to Gandhi, referring to him as “a thought.” Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Congress leader wrote: “Mahatma Gandhi is not a man, but a thought—that thought which an empire once tried, a hateful ideology once tried, and an arrogant power once tried, to erase, all in vain. Yet the Father of the Nation gave us this fundamental mantra along with freedom: that the power of truth is greater than the might of power—and that non-violence and courage are greater than violence and fear.”

“This thought cannot be erased, for Gandhi is immortal in the soul of India. Humble tribute to Bapu on his martyrdom day,” he added in his post, which carried a video as well.

महात्मा गांधी एक व्यक्ति नहीं, एक सोच हैं – वह सोच जिसे कभी एक साम्राज्य ने, कभी एक नफ़रत की विचारधारा ने और कभी अहंकारी सत्ता ने मिटाने की असफल कोशिश की।

मगर राष्ट्रपिता ने हमें आज़ादी के साथ यह मूलमंत्र दिया कि सत्ता की ताक़त से बड़ी सत्य की शक्ति होती है – और हिंसा व भय से… pic.twitter.com/Hm1frzS3jW

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 30, 2026

Congress leaders, including K C Venugopal and Shashi Tharoor, also attended the remembrance at the Indira Bhavan in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram, according to news agency PTI.

VIDEO | Top Congress leaders in Kerala attend Mahatma Gandhi death anniversary remembrance at Indira Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram.

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7)#Kerala #MahatmaGandhi pic.twitter.com/hGSUhZTVSK

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 30, 2026

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also paid homage to Gandhi, recalling his ideals. “His enduring principles of commitment to truth, non-violence and respect for human dignity are more relevant than ever,” he wrote over a post on X.

Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak too paid floral tributes to the leader.