Speculations rife over paid entrance to Jallianwala Bagh

Trust member Tarlochan Singh says no entry fee will be charged

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 20

While the controversial portrait of semi-naked women in one of the galleries of Jallianwala Bagh has been removed today, another issue of paid entrance to Jallianwala Bagh has cropped up.

The e-ticketing automated machines have arrived at the site, which pointed towards the possibility of charging an entrance fee. A structure, supposedly a ticket counter, was already erected at the main entrance. This structure has also invited the ire of several quarters, including the kin of martyrs, as it was located just ahead of the statue of Shaheed Udham Singh.

An official said earlier a proposal was mooted to have paid entrance to Jallianwala Bagh on the lines of other monuments like the Taj Mahal in Agra, Jantar Mantar or Qutub Minar in New Delhi.

“During a meeting held earlier, it was observed that some non-serious elements sit in the Bagh idly all day long. Similarly, locals too use this place as a picnic spot and litter. To have serious visitors, it was proposed to impose a nominal fee. That’s how the e-ticketing concept was included in the plan. The infrastructure was prepared and machines arrived. But it was put on hold and there was no clarity how these will be utilised,” he said.

Former MP Tarlochan Singh, who is one of the members of the PM-led Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust, said no entry fee would be charged at this historical site. He said the structure at the entrance could be utilised for security purpose.

On the controversial portraits, he said, “ Before opening the monument for public, I propose that all members and other stakeholders should make a visit to the site to make sure that nothing objectionable should be there which does not commensurate with the essence of the place,” he said.

Mahesh Behl, who lost his grandfather Lala Hari Ram in the massacre, said, “What more painful could it be that the authorities intend to earn money on the name of those who laid down their lives for the sake of the freedom. We strongly oppose charging money from visitors.”

Sunil Kapoor, great grandson of Lala Vasu Mal Kapoor, who was shot then, said, “The originality of the site has been tampered in the name of modernisation and making it more of a recreation garden.”

Sumit Singh of Tarksheel Society and Bobby Kamboj of International Kamboj Sabha demanded that the structure be removed immediately.