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Journalism of Courage
Both Meerut and Lucknow cities have roads named after Major General Sir Henry Havelock, who, in England, is considered a hero of 1857 British-India war. But 150 years after his death, when his great great grandson Sir Mark Allen Havelock plans a visit to offer homage at his ancestor’s grave, both cities will welcome him and his peers with brickbats.
Three days ago, in Meerut, Havelock and his companions were not allowed to offer a plaque at St John’s Church.
The reason? The plaque read: “To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the bravery and distinguished service of the First Battalion, the 60th King’s Royal Rifle Corps…”
The citation confused people. Soon, rumours spread that the British were celebrating “Vijay Diwas” and demonstrations were held. In Agra, where the British group had gone only to get a glimpse of the Taj, demonstrations were held again. The gates of hotel Hilton, where they were staying, had to be locked for their safety.
The group is now travelling under police security.
Their trip to Lucknow, scheduled for September 24, when they are scheduled to visit the Residency, the monument of 1857 British-Indian war, is being seen as an insult to the nation and a threat to the nation’s prestige.
The BJP, which came up with the “Incredible India” slogan to promote tourism during the NDA Government’s tenure, has called for a demonstration against the British group.
The party’s senior leader Lalji Tandon has appealed to the public to cooperate in the party’s protest against the British. Affirming the scheduled protest, BJP’s state president Ramapati Ram Tripathi said: “We have got information that they are here to celebrate the Vijay Diwas, which is an insult to India, and it is not the party’s feeling alone, but a public sentiment.”
True to the spirit of 1857, the Muslim leaders have also jumped into the fray. Effigies are being burnt and slogan-shouting has already begun to create an anti-British environment.
If that was not all, the Archaeological Survey of India has turned down the request of the British group to offer floral tributes to their ancestors at the Residency.
Of the two groups, one comprises about 10 retired officers of 60th King’s Royal Rifles, a regiment of the British Army. They are travelling with their wives.
The other group has about 20 British historians and academicians, including noted author Rosie Llewllyn-Jones, a known figure for the intelligentsia of Lucknow. She understands Hindi and Urdu as well as her mother tongue and has written many books on history of Lucknow.
The group also includes historian Huge Purcell and Sir Henry Lawrence and Sir Mark Allen Havelock — descendants of Sir Henry Lawrence and Sir Henry Havelock. The latter was honoured by the British Government for his bravery during the mutiny. Their graves are in Lucknow.
Through their travel operator, the group conveyed to The Indian Express that “it was in no way a victory celebration, but a simple remembrance to all those brave men who fought for their respective countries.”
As per the plan, which the travel operators Travel Bureau and Tornos have, the groups had big plans to mark a tribute to all soldiers irrespective of their nationality. “There was a plan to hoist the Indian flag on Residency. A recitation of Guruwani was also scheduled as many soldiers from Sikh Regiment had fought too. Wreaths were to be offered for both British and Indian soldiers and hymns were to be recited for martyrs from both sides,” said Prateek Hira of Tornos.
