MP Calls for Sorrowful Apology from UK Government for Jallianwala Bagh Massacre’s Dark Legacy
As the Jallianwala Bagh massacre anniversary approaches on April 13, a UK Conservative MP, Bob Blackman, is urging his government to formally apologize to India for the tragic events that unfolded in 1919. The massacre, which occurred on April 13, 1919, remains a poignant symbol of the atrocities inflicted on Indians under British rule.
According to reports, around 1,500 people were killed and over 1,200 injured when British troops, led by General Dyer, fired at a crowd of people gathered peacefully in the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. The massacre is widely regarded as one of the most notorious and shameful episodes in the history of British colonialism. Blackman has been pressing the need for an official statement and apology for years, citing the government’s recognition of the atrocity in 2019, when then-Prime Minister Theresa May acknowledged the massacre but did not issue a public statement.
During a video statement, Blackman recalled the events of that fateful day, saying, “On April 13, 1919, families gathered very peacefully in the Jallianwala Bagh to enjoy the sun, enjoy a day out with their families. General Dyer, on behalf of the British Army, marched his troops in and ordered his troops to fire on those innocent people until they ran out of ammunition. At the end of that massacre, 1,500 people were dead and 1,200 injured.”
He has asked the government to make a statement admitting to what went wrong and formally apologizing to the people of India before the anniversary. Another MP, who supported Blackman’s efforts, thanked him for raising the issue, stating, “I will absolutely make sure that the foreign office ministers have heard his question today and I will suggest that perhaps they bring forward a statement in advance of the anniversary.”
The Jallianwala Bagh memorial in Punjab commemorates the approximately 2,000 Indians who were killed or wounded in the massacre, while Gandhi and Tagore, respectively, responded to the event by declaring India’s eventual liberation and renouncing his knighthood in condemnation.
As the world remembers this tragic event, Blackman’s call for an official apology serves as a reminder of the significance and lasting impact of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on Indian history and British colonial legacy. The question remains: will the UK government heed Blackman’s plea and issue a formal apology to India? Only time will tell.
Original Source: https://www.india.com/news/world/uk-mp-demands-govt-apology-for-jallianwala-bagh-massacre-7716728/
Category : World,Bob Blackman,Jallianwala Bagh massacre,uk parliament
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-03-29 06:50:00
