CM Samrat Choudhary marks Shastri's death anniversary at Vijay Ghat
Synopsis
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary shared a live broadcast of PM Narendra Modi paying tribute to former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat in New Delhi on October 2, 2026 — the day India marks both Shastri's and Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversaries.
Key Takeaways
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary shared a live X broadcast of the tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri on October 2, 2026 .
PM Narendra Modi offered homage at Vijay Ghat , the samadhi of India's second Prime Minister in New Delhi.
October 2 marks the birth anniversaries of both Lal Bahadur Shastri (born 1904) and Mahatma Gandhi (born 1869).
Shastri is remembered for leading India through the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War and the slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kisan .
His memorial, Vijay Ghat , sits on the banks of the Yamuna river in New Delhi alongside other national samadhis.
On the birth anniversary of two of India's most iconic leaders, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary shared a live moment of national tribute — Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying homage to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat, New Delhi, on Friday, October 2, 2026. The solemn gesture, broadcast live, marked the occasion with the quiet dignity it demands.
Vijay Ghat: where Shastri's memory is kept
Vijay Ghat, situated on the banks of the Yamuna in New Delhi, is the samadhi — the memorial — of Lal Bahadur Shastri, India's second Prime Minister. Shastri, who led the nation through the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War and gave the country its enduring rallying cry 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' ('Hail the soldier, hail the farmer'), died on January 11, 1966, just hours after signing the Tashkent Declaration. His death, under circumstances that remain a subject of public debate, has never dimmed the reverence Indians hold for him.
October 2: a date that carries double weight
October 2 is a shared birthday — Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri were both born on this date, in 1869 and 1904 respectively. The coincidence has made it one of the most observed days on India's ceremonial calendar, marked by tributes at Raj Ghat (Gandhi's samadhi) and Vijay Ghat alike. Senior leaders across the political spectrum make their way to both memorials, reaffirming a thread of continuity that runs from independence-era leadership to the present.
CM Samrat Choudhary, a senior BJP leader and the current head of the Bihar government, amplified the tribute from New Delhi, sharing the live broadcast with his followers — a signal that the occasion resonates well beyond the capital.
Shastri's legacy holds particular weight in Bihar and the broader Hindi heartland, where his plain-spoken style and agrarian empathy remain touchstones in political memory. The annual tribute at Vijay Ghat is not ceremony for its own sake — it is a reminder of the compact between leadership and sacrifice that Shastri embodied.
Point of View
Amplifying this tribute carries added resonance: Shastri's agrarian ethos and plain-spoken identity still carry electoral and cultural weight across the Hindi heartland. The live-broadcast format signals a shift toward real-time political communication, collapsing the distance between a Delhi ceremony and a Bihar constituency. Keeping Shastri's legacy visible is, in this sense, both homage and strategy.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is October 2 celebrated as Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti?
October 2 is the birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri, born on this date in 1904. It coincides with Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary, making it one of the most significant dates on India's national calendar.
What is Vijay Ghat in New Delhi?
Vijay Ghat is the samadhi — memorial — of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, located on the banks of the Yamuna river in New Delhi. It is a site of national tribute, especially on October 2 each year.
Who is Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary?
Samrat Choudhary is the Chief Minister of Bihar and a senior BJP leader. He has been a prominent political figure in the Hindi heartland and maintains an active presence on social media.
What is Lal Bahadur Shastri remembered for?
Shastri is remembered for leading India through the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War, coining the rallying cry 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' (Hail the soldier, hail the farmer), and his austere, service-oriented leadership style. He died on January 11, 1966.
Did PM Modi visit Vijay Ghat on October 2 2026?
Yes. Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary shared a live broadcast showing PM Narendra Modi paying homage to Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat in New Delhi on October 2, 2026.
