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Read, Debate: Engage.
| topic: | Arts |
|---|---|
| located: | India |
| editor: | Tish Sanghera |
India’s central government is facing criticism for it’s ‘Disneyfication’ of the site of the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Despite the government’s attempt to encourage more visitors by building a commemorative museum and restoring the area, critics have claimed that the site’s history has been erased.
Located in the historic city of Amritsar, Punjab, Jallianwala Bagh witnessed the killing of thousands of unarmed protestors at the hands of British troops, led by Reginald Dwyer. The victims, which included women and children, had gathered at the site to protest the Rowlatt Act - a repressive legislation which permitted colonial police to imprison people without trial and granted them other egregious powers.
Speaking virtually at the opening of the newly developed complex, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said "this place will inspire future generations about the journey of our Independence movement, the sacrifices and countless struggles of our ancestors.” Since the museum’s opening coincides with the celebrations of India's 75th year of Independence, Modi added that the commemoration reminds Indians to “strengthen our nation's foundation and take pride in it.”
However, few people are finding anything to be proud of in the newly renovated Jallianwala Bagh, which features a daily sound and light show. Historians have pointed out that the narrow alleyway which infamously trapped many of the protestors, making them easy targets, has been covered with sculptures and the remaining visible bullet holes in the walls have been hidden. Similarly, a well into which many civilians jumped to avoid the British bullets has been given a transparent covering. Overall, critics claim that the renovated site is devoid of atmosphere and “the last traces of the event erased.”
The timing of Modi’s speech, which praised the heroic actions of civilians protesting against unjust laws, could not have been worse. On the same day that Modi paid homage to the Jallianwala Bagh protestors, hundreds of farmers (many of whom are from Punjab) were attacked by police officers as they protested against controversial changes to India’s farming laws, which the protesters claimed would destroy their livelihoods.
A picture of an elderly farmer with a bloodstained turban and shirt, wearing a badge showing the iconic image of Bhagat Singh - a punjabi freedom fighter - has since gone viral for its visceral symbolism of brutal state violence against protesting citizens.
Though clashes between protesting farmers and police have not been uncommon over the past year, the violence that day was particularly vicious. One farmer died after receiving multiple blows from police batons. A video has also surfaced of a top state official ordering policemen to “crack the skulls” of farmers protesting against BJP leaders, drawing strong criticism from across the country.
Photo by Omkar Jadhav
