On the occasion of Baisakhi, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini visited the historic Anandpur Sahib Gurudwara and offered prayers. Reflecting on the day’s significance, he highlighted its dual importance in Indian history.
He remarked that Baisakhi is a moment of immense pride as it marks the founding of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh. He also recalled that April 13 is remembered with solemnity due to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, where British troops opened fire on a peaceful gathering of unarmed civilians in Amritsar. “We bow to all those who lost their lives,” Saini said, honouring the memory of the victims.
Several national leaders also paid tribute to the martyrs of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which occurred on April 13, 1919, during British colonial rule.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a message on social media platform X, described the massacre as a “dark chapter” in Indian history and a “major turning point” in the country’s freedom struggle.
He wrote, “We pay homage to the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh. The coming generations will always remember their indomitable spirit. It was indeed a dark chapter in our nation’s history. Their sacrifice became a major turning point in India's freedom struggle.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid his respects, describing the tragedy as one that shook the conscience of the entire nation.
In his tribute, Shah wrote that the cruelty of British rule, as witnessed during the massacre, ignited a mass movement among Indians, transforming the freedom struggle into a widespread people's movement. He called the event a reminder of the inhumanity suffered under colonial oppression and the unity it inspired among the Indian populace.
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre remains one of the most harrowing incidents of India’s colonial past. It occurred in Amritsar, Punjab, where thousands had assembled at Jallianwala Bagh on Baisakhi both to celebrate the festival and to peacefully protest against the repressive Rowlatt Act.
They also demanded the release of nationalist leaders Dr Satyapal and Dr Saifuddin Kitchlew. Without issuing any warning, Brigadier General Reginald Dyer ordered his troops to fire upon the crowd. According to the Ministry of Culture, 1,650 rounds were fired, and the shooting only stopped once the ammunition was exhausted.
Official British figures placed the death toll at 291, but Indian leaders like Madan Mohan Malviya estimated that more than 500 people were killed. The Ministry of Culture also noted that Dyer never expressed any regret for his actions. The massacre continues to be remembered as a symbol of resistance and the unyielding spirit of India’s freedom movement.
Also Read: Leaders recall Jallianwala Bagh massacre, pay tribute
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