Question: The Centenary of Jallianwala Bagh massacre is observed on 13th April, 2019. Which British official opened fire over the people leading to this massacre?
(a) General Clive
(b) Simon
(c) General Sondaurrs
(d) General Dyer
Answer: (d)
Related facts:
- The 100th anniversary of Jallianwala Bagh massacre is being observed nationwide. This is one of the bloodiest incidents which took place during British rule in India.
- On 13th April 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind paid their homage to the martyrs who lost their life in this massacre. Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu also visited the memorial.
- General Dyer led a troop opening unwarned fire over the gathered people on 13 April, 1919.
- British High Commissioner to India Dominic Asquith also paid homage and visited the memorial in Amritsar and on the visitor’s diary he quoted by saying, years ago today reflects a shameful act in British-Indian history and deeply regretted.
- Earlier UK Prime Minister Theresa May deeply regretted about the incident and proclaimed it a shameful scar on British Indian history. She however refused to seek apology over this incident.
Jallianwala Bagh Incident:
- Jallianwala Bagh is a garden located in Amritsar close to Golden Temple.
- British administration passed various repressive acts including Rowlatt Act, 1919 which allowed arresting any person for two year on the basis of suspicion without any trial. A protest took place nationwide led by Mahatma Gandhi.
- In Amritsar the news that prominent Indian leaders had been arrested and banished from that city sparked violent protests on 10th April, 1919.
- The task of restoring order was given to Brig. Gen. Reginald Edward Harry Dyer . Among the measures taken was a ban on public gatherings.
- On 13th April, 1919, the day of Baishakhi, around 10,000 unarmed people gathered at Jallianwala Bagh to condemn the arrest and deportation of two national leaders from Punjab, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew and to celebrate Baishakhi.
- Dyer and his soldiers arrived and sealed off the exit and opened fire on the crowd without warning.
- Hundreds rounds of shooting took place until they ran out of ammunition.
- Official British record mentions death of 379 people whereas Indian officials claimed the death to be around 1,000 people and more than hundreds of people were injured.
- The shooting was followed by the proclamation of martial law in the Punjab that included public floggings and other humiliations.
Links:
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jallianwala-bagh-massacre-100th-anniversary-live-updates-5673567/
https://www.news18.com/news/india/100-years-of-jallianwala-bagh-massacre-how-the-tragedy-had-taken-place-2100833.html
https://www.britannica.com/event/Jallianwala-Bagh-Massacre