The recent renovations carried out at Amritsar’s Jallianwala Bagh, the spot where more than 1,000 peaceful protesters were gunned down by the British forces 102 years ago, have led to an uproar with some people on social media criticising the government for alleged ‘corporatisation of the monument’. Some others called the newlook an ‘insult to the martyrs’.

“This is corporatisation of monuments, where they end up as modern structures, losing the heritage value. Look after them without meddling with the flavours of the period these memorials represent,” tweeted historian S Irfan Habib about the monument that was opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.

Also read: The lesser-known facts about the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre 

The renovations at the historic site involved the creation of hi-tech galleries that have replaced the stark, unadorned passage through which General Dyer had led his men and ordered them to open fire on the thousands of unarmed men and women. The walls of the narrow lane have now been embossed with sculptures.

Another prominent historian said that he was ‘devastated’ to hear about the renovations.  “Devastated to hear that Jallianwala Bagh, site of the Amritsar Massacre of 1919, has been revamped — which means that the last traces of the event have effectively been erased. This is what I wrote of the memorial in my book, describing a space that has now itself become history,” tweeted  Kim A. Wagner.

The Opposition also slammed the government with CPM’s Sitaram Yechury saying, “Only those who stayed away from the epic freedom struggle can scandalise thus”. He also took a dig at the Narendra Modi government’s Central Vista plan, that involves redoing the Parliament complex and the adjoining areas.    

In a tweet in Hindi on Tuesday Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “Disrespect to Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs will be done by those who do not know the meaning of martyrdom. I am the son of a martyr and will not tolerate disrespect at any cost. I am against this cruelty.”

While inaugurating the renovated complex on Saturday, PM Modi said, “At a time when we are celebrating Amrut Mahotsav, we should strengthen our nation”s foundation and take pride in it.”