Last month, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the newly renovated Jallianwalah Bagh in Amritsar, Punjab, amidst heated controversy. Jallianwalah Bagh was the site of the British government’s inhuman massacre of 1919, where they ruthlessly shot down hundreds of civilians who were attending a peaceful rally. Both the incident and the location are of national importance, remnants of the struggle against British colonial repression.
It has been Indian tradition to preserve historical monuments in their original forms as much as possible to not alter their essence. However, the Modi government refurbished the park in a bold move, turning it into an attractive tourist destination. This comes after Modi stirred up yet another controversy by renaming the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award after Major Dhyan Chand.
In light of the importance the Jallianwalah Bagh massacre has in Indian history, this move has come under acute criticism from the media and the public. Historian S Irfan Habib reportedly stated that this renovation has come “at the cost of history, cost of heritage”. Some view this attempt at “glorification” to erase the true history of the place and the associated emotions of anguish and grief. Others perceive this as an endeavor to increase consciousness and educate those who visit the park.
The government’s attempt at beautifying Jallianwalah Bagh offers numerous perks, including building an aesthetically pleasing site for visitors and citizens alike. However, it is of note that no survivors of the massacre or even other living freedom fighters were consulted or even informed of the renovation. This leads to increased suspicions that this is an act of corporatization masked in the form of cultural appreciation.
Whether this renovation is insensitive or not is open to interpretation. Nevertheless, it is imperative to remember that behind the stunning murals and dazzling light shows lies the site of the heinous murder of over 1000 people who died so we could live today. Jallianwalah Bagh might look very different today than it did 100 years ago, but it will never be just another tourist attraction.
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