Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister, Anil Vij said that during the First War of Independence in 1857, the British hanged revolutionaries from trees and shot them, operated mills over some of them, and burned village after village. “Today, we performed a havan-yajna at the Martyrs’ Memorial for the peace of the souls of all such known and unknown martyrs. From today, the Martyrs’ Memorial has been opened to the public. People can visit the memorial and see the stories of the martyrs’ sacrifices.”
Vij was speaking to media persons at the Martyrs’ Memorial in Ambala Cantonment, dedicated to the First War of Independence of 1857, after performing a havan-yajna.
He said that the struggle for independence in 1857 was fought across the entire country 28 years before the Congress was founded, but its history had been forgotten. “In memory of those martyrs, we have built a grand Martyrs’ Memorial in Ambala Cantonment, and Union Home Minister Sh. Amit Shah inaugurated it on November 5. This struggle began in Ambala Cantonment, and there is no other memorial in the entire country that depicts all the martyrs associated with the First War of Independence.”
He stated that the Martyrs’ Memorial has 23 galleries and takes approximately six hours to view. A light-and-sound show will also be held there at evening. One gallery has been created especially for visitors, and he wants every visitor to go there. It is the gallery where people will pay homage to all the martyrs. Arrangements have been made so that the name of each person offering homage will be registered. He appealed to visitors to visit this gallery and pay their respects to the martyrs.
Energy Minister Anil Vij said that the Martyrs’ Memorial cost approximately Rs 600 crore to construct and that bookings have now opened. Since a trial run is currently underway, only 500 people are being allowed into the memorial per day. From today, November 15, until December 15, entry will be free for those who make a booking. Bookings are also being made online.
He said that some people had earlier made bookings without Aadhaar cards, so those bookings were cancelled and their slots became vacant. “We have now made Aadhaar cards mandatory. No booking will be accepted without an Aadhaar card. Some slots for this month are still available. If people come, they can book them, and we will soon begin paid bookings as well.”
Energy Minister Anil Vij said that “We want the new history written by the Bharatiya Janata Party government to be shown to the coming generations, because earlier, incorrect things were taught about them and the martyrs were never mentioned.” He said, “Anyone who took even one step out of their home for independence—I bow at their feet. But this memorial has been built in memory of those who were forgotten. I want the younger generation to definitely see it. We have also written to the government to make arrangements for children from all government and private schools and colleges to visit the memorial.”
Thereafter, Vij inspected the ticketing system at the museum and watched a film based on the First War of Independence—Event sports Ambala Cantonment—which depicts the independence revolution that began from Ambala. It may also be noted that this film was produced by Vij himself. The film shows that 135 people were killed in the Ambala-related incident during the freedom struggle, of whom 33 were prisoners.
Vij also said that “The freedom we breathe today is because of these martyrs, who cheerfully sacrificed their lives in the struggle for independence. This grand memorial is dedicated to the martyrs.”
The Director of the Martyrs’ Memorial, Dr Kuldeep Saini said that after the memorial opened today, visitors who arrived in the first slot were welcomed with flowers. Visitors will continue to be shown the Martyrs’ Memorial according to their allotted time slots.
