Chawla questions their inclusion among martyrs

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 22

A day before the inauguration of the Punjab State War Heroes Memorial and Museum in the city, former Punjab Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla today stirred up a controversy by raising a question mark over the inclusion of Victoria Cross winners of the First and the Second World Wars who fought off Britishers in the list of martyrs.

While appreciating the government’s initiative for setting up the war memorial, she said the main aim of it was to apprise the coming generations about those martyrs who had laid down their lives for the country in the line of duty.

It was because of their sacrifices that the people of the country feel safe and secure besides enjoying freedom.

However, she said the government has also listed the names of 46 Victoria Cross winners who fought the First and the Second World Wars for the British Government, which ruled the country for centuries and committed atrocities on those who fought for the freedom of the nation.

She pointed out that it was unfair to give them space along with the martyrs of the country.

She also raised an objection over the missing Hindi language from the war memorial while descriptions were written in the Punjabi and English languages only.