President Murmu, Rajnath Singh pay tribute to Jallianwala Bagh martyrs on 107th anniversary

President Droupadi Murmu and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute to victims of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on its 107th anniversary, recalling the tragedy as a turning point that strengthened India’s resolve for independence.

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Monday paid humble tribute to all the immortal freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives at Jallianwala Bagh and said that the nation will forever remain grateful to them.

President Murmu took to social media ‘X’ and said, “I pay my humble tribute to all the immortal freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives at Jallianwala Bagh. This event infused the people of the nation with a renewed consciousness and unwavering resolve for freedom. The nation will forever remain grateful to them. I am confident that their spirit of patriotism will continue to inspire everyone to move forward on the path of national service with dedication and devotion.”

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also took to social media ‘X’ and said, “Remembering and paying my heartfelt tributes to all those innocent Indians who were sacrificed their lives in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on this day in 1919. Their sacrifice remains a defining moment in India’s freedom struggle, awakening the nation’s collective conscience. Their courage continues to inspire generations to stand for justice, dignity and self-respect.”

April 13, 2026, signifies the 107th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, a dark and pivotal moment in the history of India’s fight for sovereignty.

More than a century ago, on this date in 1919, the merciless actions of British colonial authorities left a permanent scar on the Indian independence movement. This tragedy served as a massive wake-up call for the public, highlighting the true brutality of foreign rule and shifting the momentum of the freedom struggle forever.

The incident took place during the Baisakhi festival. Thousands of defenceless men, women, and children had gathered at Amritsar’s Jallianwala Bagh to observe the Sikh New Year. They were unaware that the British administration had declared Martial Law, which outlawed public meetings and enforced strict curfews. This lack of communication led to a historical catastrophe.

On April 13, 1919, as thousands remained gathered in the garden for the festivities, Colonel Reginald Dyer, the Acting Brigadier, arrived with his forces. Without providing any warning or a chance for the crowd to leave, he ordered his troops to open fire.

Dyer’s forces, equipped with two armoured cars armed with machine guns, as well as Gurkha and Baluchi soldiers using Scinde rifles, relentlessly fired at the crowd for 10 to 15 minutes.

In total, more than 1,650 rounds of ammunition were unleashed on the helpless people.

While the official reports later claimed 379 deaths and around 1,200 injuries, the true death toll is believed to be over 1,000, with many more wounded.

The massacre occurred in Jallianwala Bagh, a walled garden that was enclosed on three sides by buildings. The only entrance was tightly packed with people, making escape impossible.

This horrific event, also known as the Amritsar Massacre, was a shocking act of violence, marking a key moment in India’s struggle for independence.