The Charan Paduka Tragedy (The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of Madhya Pradesh)

When Gandhiji launched the Civil Disobedience Movement in April 1930 and undertook the historic march from Sabarmati to Dandi, Chhatarpur District in Madhya Pradesh, the rest of the country was ready and eager to contribute to the freedom struggle. The Civil Disobedience Movement called for a mass movement that involved strikes, the boycott of foreign goods, the picketing of liquor shops, and the breaking of the nefarious salt laws. The British responded to these protests with violent means.  On 14 January 1931, on the day of Makar Sankranti (a religious festival), a crowd gathered on the Charan Paduka ground of Singhpur village of Chhatarpur district to protest in a non-violent manner against the rising taxation of the Colonial government. The British Army, led by their political agent Fisher opened fire on the peaceful meeting, leading to the death of 21 people and injuring another 24 people. Those martyred in the firing included freedom fighters like Seth Sunderlal Waroha of Pipat, Chiru Kurmi, Halkai Ahir, and many others. Several others were jailed after this incident.  As the Charan Paduka ground is on the banks of the Urmila river, it is said that several people jumped into the river while being shot, thus turning the water red. History remembers this event as the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of Madhya Pradesh.