'Insult to martyrs': Netizens, politicians decry Jallianwala Bagh makeover

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday slammed the government over the new light and sound show and other modifications at Jallianwala Bagh, the site of a massacre in which over 1,000 people died 102 years ago, after several netizens criticized it.

"Only those who do not understand the meaning of martyrdom can insult martyrs in such a way. I am the son of a martyr, I cannot tolerate this insult of martyrs at any cost," Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet.

"We oppose this indecent cruelty," he said.

The renovated Jallianwala Bagh Smarak was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. The new features include the entrance gallery, through which General Dyer and his soldiers entered, being modified with sculptures, and a light and sound show. Several people criticized the modifications on social media.

"Insulting our martyrs. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre of Hindus Muslims Sikhs who gathered together for Baisakhi galvanised our freedom struggle. Every brick here permeated the horror of British rule. Only those who stayed away from the epic freedom struggle can scandalise thus," he said.

On April 13, 1919, people had gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh to protest against the arrest of pro-Indian independence leaders Dr Saifuddin Kitchlu and Dr Satya Pal. In response to the public gathering, British Brigadier-General R E H Dyer surrounded the Bagh, sealed the only entrance, and fired on the crowd, leading to deaths of at least 1000 people and around 1200 people being wounded. (UNI)