Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, April 13: Today marks the 103rd year of the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy (April 13, 1919). Colonel Reginald Dyer’s indiscriminate firing killed 379 individuals, including men, women, and children, and injured 1,200 more in the massacre, according to British official data.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the victims, saying that their unmatched bravery and sacrifice would continue to inspire future generations.
“Tributes to those martyred in Jallianwala Bagh on this day in 1919. Their unparalleled courage and sacrifice will keep motivating the coming generations. Sharing my speech at the inauguration of the renovated complex of Jallianwala Bagh Smarak last year,” PM Modi said in a tweet.
Tributes to those martyred in Jallianwala Bagh on this day in 1919. Their unparalleled courage and sacrifice will keep motivating the coming generations. Sharing my speech at the inauguration of the renovated complex of Jallianwala Bagh Smarak last year. https://t.co/zjqdqoD0q2
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 13, 2022
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid his tributes by saying, “I bow to the courage and valor of the immortal martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh massacre, a symbol of the ruthlessness and brutal atrocities of foreign rule.”
“Your sacrifice, dedication and sacrifice for the freedom of Maa Bharati will continue to inspire the coming generations to sacrifice their lives for the unity and integrity of the country,” he added.
विदेशी शासन की निर्ममता व क्रूर अत्याचारों के प्रतीक जलियांवाला बाग नरसंहार के अमर बलिदानियों के साहस व वीरता को नमन करता हूँ।
माँ भारती की आजादी के लिए आपका त्याग, समर्पण व बलिदान आने वाली पीढ़ियों को देश की एकता व अखंडता के लिए अपना सर्वस्व अर्पण करने की प्रेरणा देता रहेगा।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 13, 2022
What happened on April 13, 1919:
- The British had declared martial law, prohibiting public meetings at that time.
- However, the arrest of pro-Indian independence leaders Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satya Pal drew a large peaceful and unarmed crowd to the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, Punjab.
- When Brigadier R. E. H. Dyer got this information, he surrounded the demonstrators with his Gurkha British Indian army battalions in response to the public gathering.
- Because the Jallianwala Bagh was surrounded on three sides by buildings, it could only be exited from one side.
- He ordered his men to shoot at the crowd after blocking the exit with his forces, continuing to fire even as the protestors attempted to flee. The troops continued to fire until their ammunition ran out.
- Around 1,650 rounds of ammunition were shot during the course of around ten minutes of firing.
- Indians were outraged at the massacre, and Mahatma Gandhi called for a non-cooperation movement.
