On 12th of this month a function was held in all the churches of Britain to pay homage to the soldiers who lost their lives in first and second world wars. Over 6 crore people had died in both the wars. Since at that time, India was under British rule, 25 lakh Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Burmese soldiers were part of the British imperial service cavalry brigade. Nearly 5 lakh paid Indian soldiers gave their life showing loyalty to British government.
During his visit to Israel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Haifa Memorial to pay homage to Indian soldiers. Now a section is demanding to rechristen the Tree Murti Circle as Haifa square. This means that this country will give the status of martyrs to those who gave their lives for British government.
If it is to be rechristened, Teen Murti should be named ‘Kalapani square’ where a number of Indian freedom fighters lost their lives. It is ridiculous to name Haifa Square in memory of British loyal soldiers. On one side the army of Tipu Sultan, Tantia Tope, Begum Hazrat Mahal and Jhansi ki Rani was waging war against the British rulers, while on the other side Indian soldiers in British army were taking lives of Indian freedom fighters. They gave their lives only because they were the paid by the British government. While people like Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Chandrasekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh and Lehri were being executed by Britishers, those Indian soldiers were holding guns given by Britishers in exchange for a few coins. They didn’t hesitate to open fire on their fellow countrymen in Jalianwala Bagh on the order of General Dyer. How can they become respectable for us?