Many pay tributes to martyrs

Amritsar: Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the massacre of hundreds of innocent Indians by British forces at Jallianwala Bagh, many dignitaries including President Ram Nath Kovind and the British envoy to India paid their tributes to the martyrs yesterday.

British High Commissioner to India Dominic Asquith, who paid his tribute and laid a wreath at the memorial in Punjab’s Amritsar, wrote in the visitors’ book, “The events of Jallianwala Bagh 100 years ago, today reflects a shameful act in British-Indian history. We deeply regret what happened and the suffering caused. I am pleased today that the UK and India have and remain committed to developing further a thriving 21st century partnership.”

PM Modi tweeted, “Today, when we observe 100 years of the horrific Jallianwala Bagh massacre, India pays tributes to all those martyred on that fateful day. Their valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Their memory inspires us to work even harder to build an India they would be proud of.”

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, who was in Amritsar, prayed at the Golden Temple, laid a wreath at the memorial. “The cost of our freedom must never be forgotten,” the Congress chief said in a tweet after his visit.

Members of the film industry, including Amitabh Bachchan, Sunny Deol, Bhumi Pednekar and Madhur Bhandarkar, also paid tributes to the martyrs.

A massacre took place in Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar on Baisakhi in April 1919 when troops of the British Army under the command of Colonel Dyer opened fire on a crowd of people holding a pro-independence peaceful meeting, leaving hundreds of people dead and scores injured.