UK to reflect on apology for Jallianwala Bagh massacre

BRITAIN is "reflecting" on demands for a formal apology for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in April 1919, a minister told the House of Lords during a debate to mark the centenary of the incident.

Baroness Annabel Goldie also confirmed plans to mark 100 years since the tragedy "in the most appropriate and respectful way".

At a debate titled 'Amritsar Massacre: Centenary' in the Lords last (19) evening, the peer said: "The government at the time, as we know, roundly condemned the atrocity, but it is the case that no subsequent government have apologised.

"I understand that the reason is that governments have considered that history cannot be rewritten and it is important that we do not get trapped by the past," she said.

However, the baroness made specific reference to oral evidence given by British foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt to the Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee in October last year in reference to the centenary being an appropriate time for a formal apology.

She said: "The foreign secretary responded by saying: 'That is a very profound thought; let me reflect on that, but I can understand why that could be a potentially very significant gesture'.

"The Foreign Secretary is currently doing that - reflecting on the situation - and I can say that the views expressed in this debate are certainly noted and will be conveyed back to the department."

Her response came at the end of interventions by a series of peers during the debate, called by Indian-origin peers, among them Lord Meghnad Desai, who believe the April 2019 centenary was the right time to "make amends" and offer a formal apology for the atrocities to bring “closure”.

Lord Desai, during his intervention, focussed on how the House of Lords at the time had failed to condemn General Dyer's actions in Amritsar.

"The motion, that this House deplores the conduct of the case of General Dyer as unjust to that officer, and as establishing a precedent dangerous to the preservation of order in face of rebellion, which was passed in the end," Lord Desai, who is a member of the Jallianwala Bagh Centenary Commemoration Committee, recalled.

"The view was taken that somehow injustice had been done to a brave officer who was putting down a rebellion," he noted.

Cobra Beer founder Lord Bilimoria reiterated calls for a formal government apology for the "murder" and Amritsar-born businesswoman, Baroness Sandy Verma, referenced her own personal connect with the city during the debate.

"This act of complete disregard - opening fire on innocent people who had no escape routes or an opportunity to voice their protests - is truly a black cloud in British history," she said.

Historical records note that Dyer had fired on a Baisakhi gathering on April 13, 1919, without warning and continued to fire for 10 minutes even as they were trying to escape, while he blocked the main exit with his soldiers and armoured vehicles.

The newly-formed Jallianwala Bagh Centenary Commemoration Committee, made up of several Indians and non-resident Indians (NRIs), is working on plans to mark the centenary of the tragic event.

(PTI)