Tharoor attacks Modi government, says Indira Gandhi's martyrdom ignored

New Delhi: Shashi Tharoor, who was sacked as Congress spokesman in the wake of his effusive praise of Prime Minister, on Thursday attacked the Narendra Modi government for “ignoring the martyrdom” of Indira Gandhi, whose death anniversary falls on Friday.

“Disgraceful that Govt is ignoring the martyrdom of our only Prime Minister who was killed in office in the line of duty. Oct 31 forgotten?”, Tharoor said on micro blogging site Twitter.

The Modi government has declared 31 October as “Rashtriya Ekta Diwas” (National Unity Day) to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

There was no mention of Indira Gandhi in the government announcement though it is also the death anniversary of the former Prime Minister who was shot dead by her bodyguards in 1984.

The government has also decided that it will associate only with the birth and death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The anniversaries of other departed leaders may be observed by respective trusts, parties, societies or supporters.