On the 105th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, India solemnly remembers the hundreds of innocent lives lost on that fateful day in 1919. This dark chapter in Indian history witnessed British troops mercilessly gunning down a peaceful gathering of protestors, leaving an indelible scar on the nation’s collective memory.
Leading the nation in remembrance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a poignant video depiction of the tragic events of April 13th, 1919. The video highlighted the courage and sacrifice of the victims, emphasizing their unwavering pursuit of freedom, In a heartfelt social media message, the Prime Minister paid his deepest respects to the martyrs, expressing solidarity with the families who continue to carry the weight of this tragedy.
“जलियांवाला बाग नरसंहार के सभी वीर शहीदों को देशभर के मेरे परिवारजनों की ओर से कोटि-कोटि नमन। (On behalf of my family members across the country, I pay my deepest respects to all the brave martyrs of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre)” PM Modi posted on X.
President Droupadi Murmu echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments, emphasizing the enduring spirit of patriotism displayed by the martyrs. She lauded their selfless dedication to the nation, affirming that their legacy would forever inspire future generations in the fight for India’s sovereignty.
She posted, ”जलियांवाला बाग में मातृभूमि के लिए सर्वस्व न्योछावर करने वाले सभी स्वतंत्रता सेनानियों को मेरी भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजलि! स्वराज के लिए प्राणों का उत्सर्ग करने वाली उन सभी महान आत्माओं के प्रति देशवासी सदैव ऋणी रहेंगे। मुझे विश्वास है कि उन बलिदानियों की देश-भक्ति की भावना आने वाली पीढ़ियों को सदा प्रेरित करती रहेगी। (“My heartfelt tribute to all the freedom fighters who sacrificed everything for the motherland in Jallianwala Bagh! The countrymen will always be indebted to all those great souls who sacrificed their lives for swaraj. I am sure that the spirit of patriotism of those martyrs will always inspire the coming generations)”.
Union Minister Amit Shah described the massacre as a stark symbol of British cruelty and inhumanity. He emphasized how this act of barbarity served as a powerful catalyst, galvanizing the Indian independence movement, Shah Paid tribute to the martyrs, recognizing their invaluable contribution to India’s liberation and vowing that their sacrifice would never be forgotten. His post on X stated, sharing the same feelings he stated “देश के स्वाधीनता आंदोलन में अमूल्य योगदान देने वाले जलियांवाला बाग के वीर बलिदानियों को कोटि-कोटि वंदन। (“Tributes to the brave martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh who made an invaluable contribution to the country’s freedom movement.”).
जलियांवाला बाग अंग्रेजी हुकूमत की क्रूरता व अमानवीयता का जीवंत प्रतीक है। इस हत्याकांड ने देशवासियों के ह्रदय में छिपे हुए क्रान्तिज्वाला को जगाकर आजादी के आंदोलन को जन-जन का संग्राम बना दिया। जलियांवाला बाग के स्वाभिमानियों का जीवन राष्ट्रप्रथम के लिए त्याग व समर्पण की प्रेरणा का अक्षय स्रोत है। (“Jallianwala Bagh is a living symbol of the cruelty and inhumanity of the British rule. This massacre awakened the revolutionary flame hidden in the hearts of the countrymen and made the freedom movement a struggle of the people. The lives of the self-respecting people of Jallianwala Bagh are an eternal source of inspiration for sacrifice and dedication for the nation first,”) he added.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh saluted the unwavering courage of the fallen. He acknowledged their sacrifice as a beacon of inspiration for generation s to come. Singh reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering commitment to honing the martyr’s memory and preserving the ideals they fought for.
Other prominent political leaders joined in commemorating this solemn occasion. External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar highlighted the Jallianwala Bagh massacre’s significance in fueling the determination to overthrow colonial rule. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized the crucial lesson history offers- the importance of promoting peace and non-violence.
As India remembers the martyrs, the nation rededicates itself to upholding the principles of justice, liberty, and equality-the very ideals for which these innocent lives were lost. The legacy of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre serves as a timeless reminder of the Indian people’s resilience and unwavering spirit in the face of oppression.
