Jallianwala Bagh Massacre 103rd Anniversary: Nation pays tribute to martyrs

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre 103rd Anniversary: On this day in 1919, hundreds of innocent people were killed in the indiscriminate firing ordered by Colonel Reginald Dyer.

What actually happened?

The British government had imposed a draconian Martial Law, according to which the public gatherings were banned. However, a crowd of unarmed protesters and pilgrims, unaware of martial law, gathered at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar on the occasion of Vaisakhi.

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Image Source: Twitter

The crowd was peacefully protesting at Jallianwala Bagh condemning the arrest of freedom fighters Satya Pal and Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew.

Soon after Colonel Reginald Dyer got to know about the gathering, he rushed to the venue with over 50 soldiers. He ordered opening fire on those people and firing went on for over 10 minutes and around 1,650 rounds of bullets were fired.

Image Source: Twitter

Nation pays tribute to martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "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."

Image Source: Twitter

Likewise, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann paid tributes to the martyrs. Taking to Twitter, he wrote in Punjabi: "In the history of India, Jallianwala Bagh is such a massacre that even today it gives goosebumps. We will never forget the sacrifices made by our great martyrs. We will always be indebted to these martyrs who gave us this freedom. Long live the revolution!”

Likewise, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal tweeted: "The bloody massacre at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar on the day of Baisakhi on April 13, 1919, stirred up the Indian War of Independence and the enraged Punjabis unleashed the shackles of slavery in India. A humble tribute to all the martyrs of this massacre."