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Jallianwala massacre

a shameful scar on

British Indian history:

British PM

British Prime Minister Theresa example of our past history with India,” been persuaded - not just by this de-
May stops short of a formal she said in her statement. “We deeply bate - to take a different approach,” the
regret what happened and the suf-
minister said, adding that the govern-
apology sought by a cross- fering caused. I am pleased that today ment had to also consider the “financial
section of the Parliament in the UK-India relationship is one of col- implications” of any apology for events
previous debates as the UK laboration, partnership, prosperity and of the past.
security. Indian diaspora make an enor-
“These issues are an important way
government flags ‘financial mous contribution to British society of trying to draw a line under the past.
implications’ as one of the and I am sure the whole House wishes Therefore, this is work in progress and
to see the UK’s relationship with India
I cannot make any promises,” he said,
factors for doing so, reports continue to flourish.” holding out some hope of a formal
tehelka bureau In response, Opposition Labour apology over the incident.
Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn demand- The debate was tabled by Conserva-
ritish Prime Minister The- ed that those who lost their lives in tive Party MP Bob Blackman, who
resa May recently described the massacre deserve a “full, clear and opened proceedings with a strong
the Jallianwala Bagh mas- unequivocal apology for what took sentiment of “shame” as he called on
sacre in Amritsar in 1919 as place”. May’s statement comes a day the British government to apologise.
B a “shameful scar” on British after British MPs at Westminster Hall “General Dyer was vigorously defended
Indian history but stopped short of a of the Parliament complex debated the by — I say this with shame — the Con-
formal apology sought by a cross-sec- issue of a formal apology for the April servative party, as well as most of the
tion of parliament in previous debates. 13, 1919 massacre to mark its centenary. military establishment. He evaded any
In a statement, marking the 100th an- Foreign Office Minister Mark Field penalties post inquiry, as his military
niversary of the massacre, at the start of had told MPs that he had been “com- superiors advised that they could find
her weekly Prime Minister’s Questions pelled” by the arguments to raise the no fault with his actions, his orders, or
in the House of Commons on April issue of going further than the “deep- his conduct otherwise,” Blackman said,
10, she reiterated the “regret” already est regret” expressed over the killings in reference to the British general who
expressed by the British government. during the British Raj. “I feel that we had ordered the shooting at a Baisakhi
The massacre took place in Jallian- perhaps need to go further... I have now gathering in Amritsar 100 years ago.
wala Bagh in Amritsar on Baisakhi in “As we approach the 100th anniver-
April 1919 when the British Indian Army sary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre
troops, under the command of Colonel During the debate, in Amritsar on 13 April 1919, it is clear
Reginald Dyer, fired machine guns at that there needs to be a formal apology
a crowd of people holding a pro-inde- many MPs highlighted from the United Kingdom government
pendence demonstration. Colonial-era that General Dyer that accepts and acknowledges their
records show about 400 people died in part in the massacre,” said Indian-origin
the northern city of Amritsar when sol- fired on a Baisakhi Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill.
diers opened fire on men, women and “This is the right time for the (Brit-
children in an enclosed area, but Indian gathering at ish) Prime Minister to publicly apolo-
figures put the toll at closer to 1,000. Jallianwala Bagh on gise,” added fellow Labour MP Virendra
“The tragedy of Jallianwala Bagh of Sharma.
1919 is a shameful scar on British In- April 13, 1919, without In wrapping up the outcomes of the
dian history. As Her Majesty the Queen warning and blocking debate, Blackman concluded that chil-
(Elizabeth II) said before visiting Jalli- dren in British schools should be taught
anwala Bagh in 1997, it is a distressing the main exit of park about the tragedy because people

Tehelka / 30 april 2019 54 www.Tehelka.com