Jallianwala Bagh renovation, an insult to martyrs: Rahul Gandhi

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday, took to Twitter to slam the Centre for having renovated the Jallianwala Bagh complex. The Gandhi scion said that those who did not struggle for freedom, cannot understand those who did.

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, took to Twitter to slam the Centre for having renovated the Jallianwala Bagh complex. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 28, via video conferencing, had inaugurated the memorial with a sound and laser light show.

On Tuesday, the Gandhi scion tweeted, "Those who didn’t struggle for freedom can’t understand those who did. Such an insult to the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh can only be done by those who do not know the meaning of martyrdom. I am the son of a martyr - I will not tolerate insult to martyrs at any cost. We are against this indecent cruelty."

Tweet by Rahul Gandhi

Read: Jallianwala Bagh memorial's spectacular view at night

Many politicians and netizens also lashed out at the Centre for having altered the original historical site by renovating it, which changes the real feel of the site. Some others also alleged that corporatisation of monuments would make it a modern structure sans heritage value.

"Insulting our martyrs. 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," CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury had tweeted.

Tweet by CPI(M) Sitaram Yechury

Read: Capt Amarinder inaugurates Jallianwala Bagh Centenary Memorial Park

Tweet by Congress leader Hasiba Amin

While Congress leader Hasiba Amin had also tweeted, "What the hell is wrong with this man? What is so celebratory about the Jallianwala Bagh massacre that you need a light and sound show there for heaven's sake? But I mean how can we expect those who were colluding with the British to understand the horrors of this day."

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre which took place on April 13, 1919, holds significant importance in India's Independence. For ten to fifteen minutes, around 1650 rounds were fired. The firing ceased only after the ammunition had exhausted. The total number of people dead was 291, according to Irving. However, according to Indian official figures over 500 people were killed in the massacre.