Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: The Tragedy That Ignited a Nation’s Soul

As India observes Baisakhi, it also mourns April 13, 1919 — the date of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre that shocked the nation and inspired a revolution. Akshay Kumar’s upcoming film Kesari 2 revisits this haunting chapter, while a controversial comment by General Dyer’s great-granddaughter reignites old wounds.

New Delhi, April 13 — While Baisakhi is celebrated across India with colors, harvest, and joy, it also marks one of the darkest and bloodiest days in Indian history — the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of April 13, 1919.

On that tragic afternoon in Amritsar, over 1,000 unarmed civilians — including men, women, and children — had gathered at Jallianwala Bagh to protest peacefully against the oppressive Rowlatt Act, a draconian law allowing the British government to imprison Indians without trial.

Without warning or provocation, British General Reginald Dyer ordered his troops to seal the exits and open fire on the defenceless crowd. Over 1,000 people were killed and thousands more injured in what was later described by the British themselves as a “monstrous event.”

The massacre sent shockwaves throughout India and the world. It became a watershed moment in the Indian independence movement, turning moderate reformists into fierce nationalists. Mahatma Gandhi called it a “satanic act,” and Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood in protest.

---

Kesari 2 Brings the Tragedy to Screen

In a significant cinematic development, Akshay Kumar is set to portray C. Sankaran Nair, the Indian barrister who took the British Empire to court after the massacre, in the upcoming historical courtroom drama ‘Kesari Chapter 2’, releasing April 18.

The film revisits the aftermath of Jallianwala Bagh, focusing on Nair’s daring legal battle for justice, making it a spiritual sequel to the 2019 patriotic hit Kesari. Akshay recently shared a poster of himself alongside the real image of Nair, captioning:
“He didn’t fight with weapons, he fought with law and fire in his soul.”

The movie also stars R. Madhavan as British official Neville McKinley and Ananya Panday as a young law student, with a courtroom narrative said to highlight both legal and emotional reckonings.

Controversy Surrounding General Dyer’s Descendant

Amid the film’s promotion, controversy erupted over comments made by Caroline Dyer, General Dyer’s great-granddaughter. In a recent video, she referred to massacre survivor Balwant Singh as a “looter,” sparking outrage on social media and among the Indian film fraternity.​

Karan Johar condemned the remarks, stating, “Her dismissiveness toward one of the darkest genocides in Indian—and world—history is shocking. I demand an apology.” The incident has reignited discussions on historical accountability and the legacy of colonialism.​

A Nation Remembers

Every year, India pays solemn tribute to the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh. Floral wreaths, candlelight vigils, and moment of silence ceremonies are held across the country. The site in Amritsar, now a national memorial, continues to attract millions who walk silently through its bullet-marked walls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, called the massacre “a grave injustice that continues to shake the conscience of humanity”, adding that India will never forget the courage and sacrifice of its people.

---

More than a century later, Jallianwala Bagh remains a symbol of colonial cruelty and Indian resilience — a reminder that freedom was earned at great cost, and justice, though delayed, found its voice in the fire of a revolution.