As the 106th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre approaches, the dialogue regarding a formal apology from the British government has intensified. British Conservative MP Bob Blackman has once again urged the government to acknowledge the tragic events and extend a formal apology, highlighting the enduring impact of one of the most brutal acts of colonial repression in history.
In a recent address to Parliament, Blackman reflected on the horrific occurrences of April 13, 1919, when thousands of innocent civilians lost their lives or were injured under the command of General Dyer during the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
He labeled this day as a grave stain on British history, recounting how British troops were ordered to open fire on unarmed civilians gathered peacefully at Jallianwala Bagh. “Families had come together to enjoy a day in the sun, but General Dyer led his forces to fire upon the crowd until their ammunition was depleted. By the end, over 1,500 people had perished, and 1,200 were wounded,” he stated.
Blackman noted that while then-Prime Minister Theresa May acknowledged the massacre in 2019, there was no formal apology issued at that time. He emphasized the need for the government to recognize this atrocity as the anniversary approaches. “As we mark this significant date on April 13, when Parliament is in recess, it is crucial for the government to issue an official statement that acknowledges the injustice and formally apologizes to the people of India,” he urged.
Lucy Powell, the Leader of the House, commended Blackman for highlighting the issue and characterized the massacre as one of the most notorious and shameful episodes in British colonial history, particularly in India.
On that fateful day in 1919, British troops commanded by General Reginald Dyer fired upon a large, unarmed gathering in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, Punjab, protesting the repressive Rowlatt Act, which permitted imprisonment without trial. The troops blocked the sole exit and fired indiscriminately for approximately ten minutes, resulting in over 1,500 fatalities, including women and children, and leaving many more injured. This tragic event became a pivotal moment in the Indian independence movement, fueling widespread outrage and a determined quest for freedom from British rule.
