Every year on April 13, people mark the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre as a reminder of one of the saddest moments in the fight for Indian independence. The martyrs who died in Amritsar’s Jallianwala Bagh in 1919 are remembered and honoured on this day. The horrific tragedy, which is regarded as a turning point in Indian history, happened 104 years ago on April 13. This motivated Gandhi to fully dedicate himself to fighting for India’s freedom.
General Dyer, a British military officer, led his forces into the Jallianwala Bagh (Amritsar) on April 13, 1919, where people had gathered to peacefully protest the arrest of Satya Pal and Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew, two nationalist leaders. He gave the command for his soldiers to open fire on the unarmed crowd without so much as a warning to leave. The British soldiers withdrew after the onslaught had lasted ten minutes because they had run out of ammunition.
Over 500 persons were killed and 1,650 bullets were fired. It’s believed that over 1, 500 people also sustained injuries. The day is marked as the darkest moment in Indian history.
#JallianwalaBaghMassacre has been tending on Twitter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, “I recall the sacrifices of all those martyred on this day in Jallianwala Bagh. Their great sacrifice inspires us to work even harder to fulfil the dreams of our great freedom fighters and build a strong and developed India.”
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, “The killing of innocent Indians at Jallianwala Bagh reminds us of tortuous colonial rule and India’s gritty fight against the British for freedom. We are forever grateful to the martyrs. Jai Hind!”
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, “I join the nation in paying tributes to the innocent children, women and men who were martyred in the inhumane Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Their sacrifice will always remain etched in the heart of every Indian.”
“A saga of valour and sacrifice that inspires every Indian – the Jallianwala Bagh massacre stands witness to the atrocities our nation has overcome in its journey of freedom. Solemn tributes to the immortal martyrs on its anniversary,” tweeted Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
