You Can Not Afford To Forget 'The Vaisakhi Bloodshed Of Amritsar'

Vaisakhi is definitely an occasion to celebrate. This harvesting festival is really special for all the Punjabis as it is an auspicious occasion of harvesting. However, it wasn't a happy harvest back in 1919. Vaisakhi of Amritsar on the day of April 13th in this year witnessed a bloodshed. A massive bloodshed indeed! No one can ever forget this day.

Jallianwala Bagh which is nearby Golden Temple in Amritsar was full of people because of the celebrations of Vaisakhi. People on this day were out to offer prayers in Golden Temple on the occasion of Vaisakhi. So, after offering prayers at the pious place, they all accumulated in Jallianwala Bagh to silently protest against the policies of British Government. People wanted to show their anger on the arrest of two national leaders 'Satyapal' and 'Saifuddin Kitchlew' but with peace and silence.

From elders to young people and from women to kids, it seemed as if the entire Amritsar was out in Jallianwala Bagh on that day! But, without any prior notice, without any chance to escape, General Dyer, a British officer gave orders to shoot at people accumulated in the premises of Jallianwala Bagh. Unfortunately, Jallianwala Bagh had only one entry and exit and that too through a narrow street. General Dyer standing with his military troops at the same entry and exit, left no option of escape for the innocent people. People tried to climb the walls of Bagh to save themselves but unfortunately they couldn't. Many of them jumped into the well of Bagh which is today known as the 'Martyr's Well'.

Every year, Vaisakhi refreshes painful memory of this incident. Walls of Jallianwala Bagh, still stand erect and strong even with the weight of those bullet marks. No one can ever forget this bloodshed.