Victory Day (Maldives)
| Victory Day ނަޞްރުގެ ދުވަސް | |
|---|---|
Flag hoisting at 1988 November 3 National Monument in Maldives held on Victory Day 2025 | |
| Observed by | Maldives |
| Type | National |
| Celebrations | Flag hoisting, parades, speeches by the president |
| Date | 3 November |
| Next time | 3 November 2026 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Started by | Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| Related to | 1988 Maldives coup attempt |
Victory Day (Dhivehi: ނަޞްރުގެ ދުވަސް) is a public holiday in the Republic of Maldives held annually on November 3. It commemorates the failure of a coup attempt in 1988, when a group of Maldivian rebels, supported by Tamil mercenaries from the People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), attempted to overthrow the government of then-president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
History
On 3 November 1988, an attempted coup was launched against the Maldivian government, then headed by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. The coup involved Maldivian dissidents working with the People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), a Tamil militant group from Sri Lanka. Early in the morning, around 80 mercenaries infiltrated Malé, the capital of the Maldives, seizing strategic government buildings and communication centers in an attempt to capture President Gayoom, assassinate him and overthrow his administration.[1]
President Gayoom, evading capture, reached out to nearby countries for assistance. India responded promptly by initiating Operation Cactus, deploying its military forces to the Maldives.[2] Indian troops arrived in Malé within hours, successfully overpowering the mercenaries and reestablishing control, bringing the coup attempt to a swift end.[3]
Victory Day was subsequently designated on November 3 to commemorate the defence of Maldivian sovereignty.[4] The day honors those who safeguarded the nation's independence and underscores the importance of unity and security in the face of external threats.[5]
Celebrations
- The president of the Maldives addresses the nation[6]
- Flag hoisting
- Awarding ceremonies
- Military display activities
References
- ^ Banka, Neha (3 November 2022). "Operation Cactus: How India helped Maldives thwart coup bid backed by Lankan militants". The Indian Express. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ Singh, Sushant (7 February 2018). "Beyond the news: 30 years ago, another Maldives crisis". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 7 February 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ Waheed, Zamath Ahmed (3 November 2020). "ނަސްރުގެ ދުވަސް" [Victory Day]. vNews (in Divehi). Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ Shifau, Mohamed (3 November 2020). "ނަސްރުގެ ދުވަސް: ދިވެހި ސިފައިންވީ ގުރުބާނީ، ބަދުބަސް ބުނަން ލަދުގަންނަން ޖެހޭ!" [Victory Day: Maldivian Army's Sacrifice, Shame on You!]. Dhen. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ "Victory Day in Maldives". Elysian Maldives. 3 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ "President highlights faith, unity, and self-reliance as the foundation of national sovereignty". The President's Office. 3 November 2025. Retrieved 10 November 2025.