The Punjab Governor and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh,V.P. Singh Badnore today launched the book titled Jallianwala Bagh, 1919 – The Real Story authored by Kishwar Desai, an author and columnist here this evening at Punjab Raj Bhawan.Addressing the elite gathering after unveiling the book, Badnore said that the book is launched at an appropriate time when after about a month we will be observing 100 years of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in which hundreds of innocent were killed at the hands of the British in Amritsar. It is very important to remember this tragic incident both before and after and this was the incident which ignited the freedom Movement, observed Sh. Badnore.The Governor termed the book as a well researched work by the author which provides a very easy-to-read introduction to the lesser-known facts around Jallianwala Bagh. Her focus on the stories of the common people who were at the mercy of the British, and whose names are forgotten and never mentioned in our histories, is something worth appreciating.Talking about the book, the Author, Ms. Desai said that Punjab is still to recover from the shock of it.
The catalyst for the events of that day became a turning point in India’s struggle for independence. She also recalled that the impact of that tragedy was so severe on the minds of Mahatama Gandhi that he changed his soft stand towards the British and similarly Dr. Rabindera Nath Tagore returned his Knighthood after the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.Based on the reports of the Hunter Committee and the Indian National Congress, as well as other historical documents, Jallianwala Bagh, 1919: The Real Story provides a sharp analysis of General Dyer’s actions and their fallout—the official narrative and the Indian counter-narratives, said Ms. Desai.The Discussion was moderated by Mr. Jyoti Kamal, a senior journalist and the house was left open to the question and answers also.Prominent amongst others who attended the book launch included Mr. J.M. Balamurugan, Secretary to Governor, Lt. Gen Alok Kler, General K.J. Singh, Ms Neelam Man Singh, Chandigarh based theatre artist, Information Commissioner, Punjab, Mr. Khuswant Singh and other dignitaries.