The legacy of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre continues to echo even after 106 years, as the family of martyr Lala Hari Ram Bahl from Amritsar is still fighting for official recognition and rightful benefits from the government.
Lala Hari Ram Bahl was among the thousands who gathered at Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919, during a peaceful protest against the Rowlatt Act and the arrest of leaders Dr. Satyapal and Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew. The gathering turned into one of the darkest chapters in Indian history when General Dyer ordered firing on unarmed civilians, resulting in massive casualties.
According to historical records, the incident involved around 1650 rounds of firing, leaving no escape route for those trapped inside the walled garden. Lala Hari Ram Bahl was among those who lost their lives in the massacre, and his name is included in the official list of 492 martyrs issued by district authorities.
Despite this recognition, his descendants continue to struggle for full acknowledgment. His grandson Mahesh Bahl (73) and great-grandson Nainish Bahl run the “Jallianwala Bagh Shaheed Parivar Committee,” demanding justice and recognition for all affected families.
The family claims that even though the government acknowledged the martyrs after 2008, they have still not been granted “freedom fighter family” status or adequate support. Only a few families reportedly received identity cards, and the names of many martyrs are still missing from official memorial records.
The family has put forward key demands, including:
- Recognition of all 492+ martyrs as freedom fighters
- Pension and government benefits for their families
- Inclusion of all names on the memorial stone at Jallianwala Bagh
- A formal written apology from the British government instead of symbolic regret
The British records mention 379 deaths, while unofficial estimates suggest over 1,000 casualties. The ongoing dispute over the exact number of victims continues to fuel the demand for full historical acknowledgment.
Mahesh Bahl expressed deep pain, saying that families are remembered only on April 13, while the rest of the year they remain forgotten despite generations of struggle and sacrifice.
