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The Indian government’s recent move to shift the Amar Jawan Jyoti from its location under India Gate to the National War Memorial (NWM) was criticised by some sections of the society.
Base material
What is Amar Jawan Jyoti?
Inaugurated on republic day in 1972 to mark India’s victory in the 1971 War over Pakistan, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. AJJ is the nation’s tributes to the soldiers who have died for the country in various wars and conflicts since Independence.
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The installation had four urns on it, with four burners. On normal days one of the four burners was kept alive, but on important days like Republic Day, all four burners were lit. These burners were what is called the eternal flame, and it was never allowed to be extinguished.
About India Gate
India gate was built in 1931 by British. It was also known as All India War Memorial. It was erected as a memorial to around 90,000 Indian soldiers of the British Indian Army, who had died in several wars and campaigns like World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War, till then.
About National War Memorial
National War Memorial was inaugurated in 2019. It is around 400 meters from India Gate. It was built to commemorate all the soldiers who have laid down their lives in the various battles, wars, operations, and conflicts of Independent India.
The following news articles explain the rationale and implications of shifting Amar Jawan Jyoti to the National War Memorial.
Why National War memorial is better suited to house Amar Jawan Jyoti? – updated on 25th Jan 22
There’s No Blame In Shifting The Flame” – ToI – 25th Jan 22.
Firstly, the Amar Jawan Jyoti has not been “extinguished”. It has merely been merged with the National War Memorial.
Secondly, the Amar Jawan Jyoti was always a “makeshift” memorial housed temporarily under the arch of India Gate. Ever since it was dedicated to the nation in 1972 the understanding was that the flame would be shifted to a more elaborate and permanent memorial.
Thirdly, soldiers inscribed on India Gate ‘a symbol of our colonial past’. They had no choice but to fight someone else’s arguably unjust war waged to preserve illegal colonial acquisitions
Fourthly, NWM houses the names of all the soldiers who died in wars that took place after independence in 1947. While, the Amar Jawan Jyoti set up in 1972 seeks to commemorate those who laid down their lives in the 1971 war, their names are not inscribed on the monument itself. It will be a practical move to have both at the same place.
Fifthly, NWM is where all the official functions are now held to honour the country’s soldiers, and having a flame there would be more apt.
“Relocating the Amar Jawan Jyoti to the National war memorial is logical” – Indian Express – 22nd Jan 2022.
What are the Historical justifications behind the relocation of Amar Jawan Jyoti?
First, India Gate is a war memorial erected by the British, in 1921 in memory of soldiers who died in World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. The monument does not celebrate a national war.
Second, the symbology at India gate consisting of an upright 7.62 mm rifle embedded by the barrel, with a steel helmet mounted on its butt, is originated from an American Civil War custom. This symbology has not been replaced, and “battlefield cross” has been retained for 50 years.
The NWM is a place for citizens to pay homage to our fallen military heroes. Co-locating the Amar Jawan Jyoti with the NWM seems a logical step, and need not become a subject of political controversy.
Amar Jawan Jyoti is an eternal flame that honors India’s “unknown soldier” and its rightful place is the National war memorial.
Arguments against the relocation of Amar Jawan Jyoti – updated on 24th Jan 22
Side by Side” – Indian express – 24th Jan 22
India should not also forget the sacrifice of 15,000 men who laid down their lives as part of the British Army in the two world wars, and whose names are inscribed on the arch, but not at the NWM.
The present day Indian Army is a legacy of the British Indian Army, organised much along the same lines as it was 75 years ago, and cannot turn its back on its own heroes.
What is the way forward? – updated on 24th Jan 22
Side by Side” – Indian express – 24th Jan 22
The best way out of the present controversy would be to leave the Amar Jawan Jyoti burning at India Gate, along with the one at the NWM. Keeping the flame alive there will ensure that none of India’s war heroes is forgotten.
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