Chandigarh: The 100th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre saw the representatives of two prominent Punjab dynasties fight it out over the alleged bonhomie of their forefathers with the perpetrators of the bloodbath.
The war of tweets between Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal came a day after the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) engaged in a bitter war of words over Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
In a tweet Saturday evening, Harsimrat posted a photo of Amarinder’s grandfather Maharaja Bhupender Singh greeting Michael O’ Dwyer, who served as the lieutenant governor of Punjab from 1912 to 1919, when the massacre took place.
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“And you, Captain Amarinder proudly display these pics in your lobby, or are you too ashamed of your grandfather? Unlike your wild allegations, when we level an allegation, we always back it with facts.”
And u @capt_amarinder proudly display these pics in your lobby, or are you too ashamed of your grandfather ? Unlike your wild allegations, when we level an allegation, we always back it with facts. /3 pic.twitter.com/UKu7Eyd150
— Harsimrat Kaur Badal (@HarsimratBadal_) April 13, 2019
While General Reginald Dyer is identified as the main culprit of the massacre in popular imagination, as he was the one who led soldiers to Jallianwala Bagh on Baisakhi 1919, his name is often confused with that of O’Dwyer. However, the latter, who was assassinated by Udham Singh in 1940, is believed to have condoned the massacre, with some historians suggesting that he was the one who ordered it.
Reacting to Harsimrat’s tweet, Amarinder cited the common mix-up between the two names: “Amazed at how dumb someone can be! Harsimrat Badal can’t you see the difference between General Dyer and Michael O’Dwyer, Punjab LG who was assassinated by Udham Singh? Are you so desperate that you’ll spread any disinformation to win? You all need history lessons.”
Amazed at how dumb someone can be! @HarsimratBadal_ can’t you see the difference between General Dyer & Michael O’Dwyer, Punjab’s LG who was assassinated by Udham Singh? Are you so desperate that you’ll spread any disinformation to win? You all need history lessons. pic.twitter.com/q1g2BgMG9T
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) April 14, 2019
Triggered by Rahul visit to Golden Temple
In another tweet, Harsimrat lashed out at the CM for “boycotting” a function headed by Vice-President M. Venkaiahn Naidu at Jallianwala Bagh Saturday.
You @capt_amarinder proved your care for martyrs by boycotting national function headed by the Vice President at Jallianwala Bagh yesterday. Sad you cheapened 100th anniversary by holding parallel function of PPCC. Martyr families will not forgive this insult.
— Harsimrat Kaur Badal (@HarsimratBadal_) April 14, 2019
Amarinder, who is also a military historian, cited another purported historical anecdote to lash out at Harsimrat.
Also read: Punjab Governor cites Jallianwala Bagh, rejects invite to Queen Elizabeth’s birthday party
“Did you, your husband @officeofssbadal or his father, Parkash Singh Badal, ever apologise for your great grandfather, Sardar Sunder Singh Majithia’s lavish dinner to Gen Dyer on the day of Jallianwala Bagh massacre? He was later knighted in 1926 for his loyalty and his deeds.”
Did you, your husband @officeofssbadal or his father, Prakash Singh Badal, ever apologise for your great grandfather, Sardar Sunder Singh Majithia’s lavish dinner to Gen Dyer on the day of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre? He was later knighted in 1926 for his loyalty and his deeds. https://t.co/SMNwbivbnR
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) April 13, 2019
She was referring to Operation Bluestar of 1984, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi sent the Army into the Golden Temple to flush out Sikh militants led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.