Tomorrow Holiday? Shaheed Udham Singh Day Off, July 31
Is tomorrow, July 31, a holiday for Shaheed Udham Singh Day? Check the full list of school, bank, and government office closures across India now.
Shaheed Udham Singh Martyrdom Day: A Gazetted Holiday in Punjab and Haryana
Tomorrow, July 31, 2025 , marks the 85th martyrdom anniversary of the revered Indian freedom fighter, Shaheed Udham Singh. While India observes a diverse calendar of holidays, this particular day holds special significance primarily in two northern states.
The state governments of Punjab and Haryana have officially declared July 31st as a gazetted public holiday . This means that government offices, boards, corporations, and all educational institutions (schools and colleges) within these two states will remain closed to honor his profound sacrifice for the nation.
For the rest of India, it will be a regular working day. It's essential for citizens to be aware of these regional distinctions to plan their activities accordingly.
Shaheed Udham Singh: The Avenger of Jallianwala Bagh
Born Sher Singh on December 26, 1899, in Sunam, Punjab (then British India), Shaheed Udham Singh's early life was marked by tragedy. He lost both his parents at a young age and was raised in an orphanage in Amritsar. It was here that he witnessed one of the most horrific events in Indian history: the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
On April 13, 1919, thousands of unarmed Indians had gathered peacefully at Jallianwala Bagh to celebrate Baisakhi and protest against the Rowlatt Act. General Reginald Dyer ordered his troops to open fire on the trapped crowd, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. Udham Singh, who was present at the site and reportedly serving water to the crowd, was deeply scarred by this brutal act. He vowed to avenge the innocent lives lost.
His resolve led him on a remarkable 21-year quest for justice. He traveled across continents, working various jobs and associating with revolutionary groups like the Ghadar Party. He adopted the alias "Ram Mohammad Singh Azad," a name symbolizing the unity of India's major religions (Hindu, Muslim, Sikh) and his anti-colonial sentiment.
His target was Sir Michael O'Dwyer, the then Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, whom he held responsible for the massacre. On March 13, 1940, Udham Singh tracked O'Dwyer to Caxton Hall in London. After O'Dwyer finished speaking at a joint meeting, Singh calmly approached him and fired two shots, killing him instantly. He did not attempt to escape and was immediately arrested.
During his trial, Udham Singh used the platform to denounce British rule in India, declaring his actions were a protest against the atrocities committed by the British Empire. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On July 31, 1940, at the age of 40, Shaheed Udham Singh was hanged at Pentonville Prison in London. His remains were later exhumed and repatriated to India in 1974, now preserved at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar.
State-Wise Holiday Status for July 31, 2025
Punjab:
- Government Offices: Closed (Gazetted Holiday)
- Educational Institutions (Schools & Colleges): Closed
- Boards & Corporations: Closed
- Banks: Banks in Punjab are expected to be closed. While the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues a general list of bank holidays, state-specific gazetted holidays often lead to bank closures. Customers are advised to confirm with their specific bank branches.
- Commemoration: A state-level tribute event will be organized in Sunam, Shaheed Udham Singh's hometown. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other dignitaries are expected to attend and pay floral tributes. The state government has also initiated efforts to rename sections of national highways after the freedom fighter.
Haryana:
- Government Offices: Closed (Public Holiday)
- Educational Institutions (Schools): Closed. The Board of School Education Haryana has specifically announced this closure.
- Banks: Banks in Haryana are also likely to be closed. It is always recommended to check with your bank.
- Commemoration: Haryana observes this day with various commemorative events and tributes to the martyr across the state.
Other States and Union Territories in India:
For the vast majority of states and Union Territories across India, July 31, 2025, will be a normal working day . This includes major metropolitan areas and states like:
- Andhra Pradesh
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Assam
- Bihar
- Chhattisgarh
- Goa
- Gujarat
- Himachal Pradesh
- Jharkhand
- Karnataka
- Kerala
- Madhya Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Manipur
- Meghalaya
- Mizoram
- Nagaland
- Odisha
- Rajasthan
- Sikkim
- Tamil Nadu
- Telangana
- Tripura
- Uttar Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
- West Bengal
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Chandigarh
- Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
- Delhi
- Jammu & Kashmir
- Ladakh
- Lakshadweep
- Puducherry
In these regions, schools, government offices, and banks will operate according to their regular schedules.
Understanding India's Holiday System
India's holiday structure is broadly categorized into:
- National Holidays: These are observed nationwide and include Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15), and Gandhi Jayanti (October 2). All government offices, banks, and educational institutions across the country are closed on these days.
- Gazetted Holidays: These are declared by the central or state governments and are mandatory for government offices and often banks. Shaheed Udham Singh Martyrdom Day on July 31st falls under this category for Punjab and Haryana.
- Restricted Holidays (Optional Holidays): These are optional holidays for government employees, allowing them to choose a limited number of days from a list. Businesses and private organizations may or may not observe these.
- Regional/State-Specific Holidays: These are declared by individual state governments based on local festivals, historical events, or cultural significance. July 31st for Punjab and Haryana is an example of such a holiday.
This multi-tiered system ensures that both national unity and regional diversity are respected in the observance of public holidays.
Plan Your Day Accordingly
In summary, if you are residing in or planning to visit Punjab or Haryana , be aware that July 31, 2025 , will be a public holiday, affecting government services, educational institutions, and banking operations. For all other parts of India, it will be a standard working day.
It is always prudent to cross-check with your specific bank, school, or local government notifications for the most up-to-date and precise information regarding holiday observances in your area.
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