Supporting the controversy sparked by the changes made to Jallianwala Bagh, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in a laser program on Saturday, Rahul posted a strong tweet describing the renewed contamination of martyrdom. “This insult to the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh can only be made by those who do not know the meaning of martyrdom. I am the son of a martyr; I will not tolerate at any cost the insult of the martyrs. We are against this indecent cruelty, “he said.
By contrast, Amarinder said the renovation works “looked very beautiful.” In response to a question in an interaction with the media, he said, “I don’t know what has been removed. Anything I saw that night (at the opening ceremony) seemed very nice to me.” that, Amarinder added that he had not seen Rahul’s tweet on the subject.
The difference of opinion between the two leaders of the Congress occurs at a time when a section of leaders of the Punjab party, close to the newly appointed president of the CCP, Navjot Singh Sidhu, has questioned Amarinder’s leadership before the elections. at the assembly to be held early next year.
Some other opposition leaders have also been critical of the memorial’s new appearance. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the renovated Jallianwala Bagh on Saturday, Amarinder had described it as a tribute to the martyrs and a symbol of inspiration for the youth.
But controversy soon erupted with the Jallianwala Bagh Shaheed Parivar Samiti (JBSPS) and even historians and politicians opposing the facelift. They blamed the government for destroying the original features of the monument, where hundreds had died on Baisakhi Day on April 13, 1919. British historian Kim Wagner commented that the last traces of the April 1919 massacre have been effectively deleted.
The narrow passage with thick brick walls, right at the entrance / exit of the Jallianwala Bagh that had to be crossed on foot, as it was not wide enough to accommodate vehicles, no longer exists. Instead, there is a walled lane with shiny murals and full of wooden logs. The murals of human figures symbolize the common people who had gathered on the occasion of Baisakhi, defying the British dictatorship, which banned mass gatherings, and fell to bullets on the orders of Brigadier General Reginald Dyer in 1919. created a separate exit lane. cut for tourists.
JBSPS President Mahesh Behal told TOI: “Our main objection is the total lack of originality of the entrance lane, giving it a new look by plastering walls with cemented murals on either side and closing doors and There was no need to put logs in the lane.
A small cemented pyramidal structure has also been demolished informing visitors that “people were shot from here.” The location of Amar Jyoti or the eternal flame and flagpole has also been changed.