New Delhi, April 13 (ANI): On the 105th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the victims, calling the incident a “dark chapter” in India’s history and a “major turning point” in the freedom struggle.
“We pay homage to the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh. The coming generations will always remember their indomitable spirit,” PM Modi wrote on X.
Leaders Remember the Martyrs
Several Union ministers also remembered the victims and emphasized the impact of the massacre on India’s path to independence:
- Home Minister Amit Shah called it a turning point in mass resistance: “The cruelty of the British shook the nation and transformed the freedom movement into a mass struggle.”
- Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said: “India will forever remain indebted. The colonial barbarity sparked a fierce national consciousness.”
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar paid tribute to their courage: “Their determination and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Remembering the Massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred on April 13, 1919, in Amritsar, Punjab, when thousands of Indians had gathered peacefully on Baisakhi to protest the Rowlatt Act and demand the release of national leaders Dr. Satyapal and Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew.
Brigadier General Reginald Dyer, without warning, ordered his troops to fire on the unarmed crowd. According to the Ministry of Culture, 1,650 rounds were fired, ceasing only when ammunition ran out. British sources claimed 291 deaths, but Indian estimates suggest over 500 were killed.
Aftermath and Legacy
General Dyer showed no remorse, telling the Hunter Commission that it was not his duty to help the wounded. The British colonial establishment, including Lt. Governor Michael O’Dwyer, supported his actions.
In protest, Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood, and Udham Singh later assassinated O’Dwyer in London in 1940, avenging the massacre.
A memorial was established in 1951 by the Indian government at Jallianwala Bagh. In 2019, the Yaad-e-Jallian Museum was inaugurated to provide an authentic account of the tragic event.
The massacre remains a powerful symbol of sacrifice, resistance, and patriotism, continuing to inspire generations of Indians.
(ANI)
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