Jallianwala Bagh -105 years later
More than a century since the tragic events of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the pain and grief still linger for the families of the victims and survivors. The magnitude of the tragedy, etched into history as one of the most brutal chapters of British colonial rule, remains unforgettable.
On April 13, 1919, in the ‘Holy City’ of Amritsar, Hari Ram Behal, a local lawyer, left for a fateful public gathering protesting the draconian Rowlatt Act. Little did he know that he, along with many others, would become victims of a brutal crackdown.
As thousands gathered at Jallianwala Bagh, a ground mistaken for a garden, Brigadier General Reginald Dyer and his troops opened fire without warning, trapping the crowd with no escape. The massacre, lasting about 10 minutes, left hundreds dead, though many believe the toll to be much higher.
The stories of survivors, like Hari Ram Behal and Nanak Singh, resonate through generations. Nanak Singh, who later became known as the father of the Punjabi novel, immortalized the tragedy in his writings, including the banned ballad “Khooni Vaisakhi.” The trauma of that day haunted survivors like him for the rest of their lives.
The massacre reverberated through India’s freedom struggle, sparking outrage and condemnation both domestically and internationally. Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood, while Mahatma Gandhi launched the non-cooperation movement in protest. Even former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill denounced the atrocity as a “monstrous event.”
However, despite widespread condemnation, there were those who defended Dyer’s actions, citing the need to suppress civil disobedience. The complex socio-political context of the time, marked by rising tensions and fears of rebellion, provides a backdrop to the massacre.
Today, as the generation that witnessed these events firsthand passes away, there are concerns about the fading collective memory of the tragedy. While thousands still visit the Jallianwala Bagh memorial daily, there are worries about the site’s preservation and the politicization of the tragedy.
Efforts are underway to ensure that the significance of Jallianwala Bagh is not lost on future generations. Initiatives like music adaptations of “Khooni Vaisakhi” aim to keep the memory alive and remind people of the sacrifices made for India’s independence.
Ultimately, Jallianwala Bagh remains a symbol of resistance, reminding us of the atrocities of colonialism and the resilience of those who fought for freedom.
