London [UK], March 29 (ANI): Late Thursday, UK Conservative Member of Parliament for Harrow East, Bob Blackman, called for the British government to issue an official apology to India on the commemoration of the somber Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
In the UK Parliament, Blackman addressed the incidents from April 13, 1919, stating that countless unarmed citizens were massacred and wounded during the firing in Jallianwala Bagh.
“Today, I brought up the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. I urged the Government to officially offer an apology to the Indian people before the anniversary of the atrocity,” he stated.
In an accompanying video, Blackman stated that on April 13, 1919, General Dyer instructed the British forces to open fire on unarmed civilians assembled peacefully at Jallianwala Bagh.
“On April 13, 1919, families assembled quite calmly at Jallianwala Bagh to bask in the sunshine and spend a pleasant day together with loved ones. However, General Dyer, representing the British Army, led his forces into the area and commanded them to open fire upon these unarmed civilians until they depleted their ammo supply. By the conclusion of this tragedy, approximately 1,500 individuals had perished and around 1,200 more were wounded,” he stated.
Blackman stated that in 2019, former Prime Minister Theresa May acknowledged this atrocity, though she refrained from issuing a public comment.
Ultimately, General Dyer faced disgrace due to that blemish on the British Empire. In 2019, former Prime Minister Theresa May acknowledged this as a blot on Britain’s colonial administration in India. However, can we get a statement during official hours? This incident’s anniversary falls on April 13th this year, which coincides with our parliamentary break. Therefore, could the government provide a statement acknowledging past mistakes and officially apologize to the Indian people?” he asked.
A different Member of Parliament in the legislature showed appreciation to Blackman for bringing up the matter, describing the massacre as one of the most infamous and disgraceful incidents in the annals of British colonial history.
“May I express my gratitude to him for bringing up this crucial issue regarding the Jallianwala Bagh massacre? As he mentioned, it stands out as one of the most infamous and disgraceful incidents during Britain’s colonial era, especially within the context of Indian history. However, I believe the implications extend even further,” she stated.
She mentioned that she would ensure the foreign office ministers submit a statement before the anniversary arrives.
“I will definitely ensure that the foreign office ministers hear his question today, and I will propose that maybe they release a statement ahead of the upcoming anniversary,” she stated.
The Jallianwala Bagh memorial in Punjab honors the 2,000 Indians who lost their lives or were injured when they were fired upon without discrimination by the British forces led by General Michael O’Dyer on April 13, 1919, during a peaceful gathering. This event stood out as a significant moment in India’s fight for independence.
The tale of this horrific slaughter is recounted within the Martyr’s Gallery located at the site. Here, a portion of the wall bearing bullet holes remains intact alongside the commemorative well where individuals leaped to evade capture. Following the Jallianwala massacre, Mahatma Gandhi proclaimed that “the indomitable men of India will stand up and free their homeland.” In response to these events, Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood, penning that the excessive harshness dealt towards the innocent populace and the manner in which it was executed stands unmatched in the annals of established governance. (ANI)
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