We must remember brutalities of the past

AN open letter to the Indian Prime Minister.

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919) Centenary Committee UK share the shock and outrage from the BJP Government converting Jallianwala Bagh into its own view of history, without making any attempt to consult opposition parties, historians or the Management Committee Desh Bhagat Yadgar in Jallandhar. We share the wounded criticism expressed by Indian and international historians and politicians for the unprecedented move to distort the history of Jallianwala Bagh and transform the horror of the massacre into a happy atmosphere.

The soil in the Bagh saturated with the blood of thousands of unarmed Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs martyrs who were peacefully protesting the brutalities of the British Empire, have now been covered with beautiful green lawns. You have filled every brick with bullet holes, leaving just a few, which told a story of the sacrifice and horror of the foreign rule.

People, who understand the importance of national heritage, comprehend the shock and the wave of anger felt by the nation.

Feeling the deep pain and sorrow, Rabindranath Tagore returned his knighthood. The lesson the British Empire intended to teach Indian citizens turned out to be a lesson to them for the Jallianwala Bagh became a symbol for the non-violent and peaceful struggles for self-determination. We stand in solidarity with those tirelessly working to save and preserve the national heritage that has, with your blessings, been erased and belittled.

We support every person who understands the importance of preserving the history of struggles against foreign domination.

Contrary to our campaign for a formal apology by the serving British Prime Minister and for decolonisation of British National Curriculum, your Government is busy forcing in the corporatisation of monuments at the cost of history and the national heritage.

Amarjite Singh, president Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)

Centenary Committee UK