LONDON: The British government has refused to apologise for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre during a debate in the House of Commons, despite scores of MPs calling for it just days before the centenary of the tragedy in which hundreds of unarmed people were killed.
The debate, organised by Conservative MP Bob Blackman, took place in Westminster Hall on Tuesday afternoon when it was hoped the UK government might finally issue an apology.
MPs from different political parties lined up to demand not just an official apology from the UK prime minister for the victims, their descendants and Sikhs worldwide, but also for reparations to be made to the descendants of families affected and for the topic to be taught in British schools.
A cross-party group of MPs has also signed a letter calling for an apology.
MP Virendra Sharma said: “The murder at Jallianwala Bagh is almost unknown in the UK outside the Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities. Yet for millions in Punjab it is the defining moment of British rule and made people realise that imperial rule was neither enlightened, nor benevolent but brutalising, dehumanising and murderous. Jallianwala Bagh set in motion the forces that ultimately secured independence.” He said teaching it in British schools would help British people know our own history and “how we are seen by people in other countries”. He also called for a monument to be erected in London to commemorate all the victims of the “barbarism” of the British Empire.
But having listened to impassioned speeches, junior foreign minister Mark Field, representing the UK government, said: “It’s not appropriate for me today to make the apology that many members would wish to come. I have slightly orthodox views. I would feel a little reluctant to make apologies for things that have happened in the past and there may well be concerns any government department has to make about an apology that there may well be financial implications to that and we debase the currency of apologies if we make them for many events.”
“This was a tragedy and a shameful episode in British history. The British government rightly condemned the incident at the time,” he said.
“I think we are very committed to ensuring that what took place should not be forgotten. It’s right we continue to pay our respects to the victims and during the course of this year we mark this sombre anniversary in the most appropriate way,” Field said.
“I have asked representative from the high commission in India to visit the site and lay a wreath on behalf of the UK government… The government will publicly acknowledge the centenary here in the UK looking back with deepest regret at what occurred but also looking forward to the strong bonds both our countries are building for the future,” the junior foreign minister added.