by RITHIKA SIDDHARTHA
BRITAIN’S Sikh MPs have supported London mayor Sadiq Khan, who last week called on the UK government to make a formal apology for the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre in which nearly 400 Sikhs were shot dead by British Indian army soldiers.
During a visit last Wednesday (6) to Sikhism’s holiest shrine, the Golden Temple at Amritsar in Punjab, north India, Khan called the massacre one of the most horrific events in Indian history.
On April 13, 1919, some 50 soldiers began shooting at unarmed civilians who were taking part in a peaceful protest against oppressive laws enforced in the Punjab by British colonial authorities. At least 379 Sikhs were killed, but the figure is disputed.
Labour MP for Birmingham, Preet Kaur Gill, told Eastern Eye: “I was pleased to hear Sadiq Khan’s call for the British government to apologise for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
“The killing of unarmed, peaceful civilians is a stain upon the reputation of our country and, with the centenary of the massacre fast approaching, I believe now is the right time to offer a long-overdue apology to the families of all those killed and injured”.
Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Labour MP for Slough, also backed the call by Khan, adding: “The massacre was an incredibly dark chapter in British history and an apology will unite the victims and the perpetrators in renouncing this horrific act.
“The apology may not give anything tangible to the victims, but it will set a benchmark to the conduct that should be there in the future.”
Another Labour MP, Virendra Sharma, who represents Ealing Southall, brought forward a parliamentary motion for the UK government to formally apologise in the Commons and also inaugurate a memorial day to mark the event, ahead of the 100th anniversary in 2019.
Former Conservative prime minister David Cameron visited Amritsar at the end of a trade mission to India four years ago in a show of contrition over the massacre, although he stopped short of making a formal apology.
In remarks last week, Khan said: “It is wrong that successive British governments have fallen short of delivering a formal apology to the families of those who were killed.
“I’m clear that the government should now apologise, especially as we reach the centenary of the massacre. This is about properly acknowledging what happened here and giving the people of Amritsar and India the closure that they need through a formal apology.”
Khan completed a six-day mission to India and Pakistan to strengthen cultural and economic ties with London.
In a statement, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “As the former prime minister said when he visited the Jallianwala Bagh in 2013, the massacre was a deeply shameful act in British history and one that we should never forget.
“It is right that we pay respect to those who lost their lives and remember what happened. The British government rightly condemned the events at the time.”
Last week’s visit to the subcontinent saw Khan cross the India-Pakistan border at Wagah on foot. In the latter half of his trip, the mayor met Pakistan prime minister Shahid Abbasi and business leaders.
In Karachi, Khan said Habib Bank AG Zurich, which has eight branches in Britain, planned to add two new branches in London, creating 50 new jobs.
Muhammad Habib, president of Habib Bank AG Zurich Group, said: “London is one of the world’s key global cities and a key international market for our bank, so we see this expansion as being an important part of our growth strategy.”
Among other announcements were Indian IT major Wipro planned to open a 13,000 square foot office in the City of London, the company’s third office in the capital. Wipro currently
employees 1,800 staff in London.
The mayor’s promotional agency, London & Partners, also secured investment from Devyani International, which plans to open seven tea bars, starting in London. In addition, Old World Hospitality and Massive Restaurants will open venues in the city.
Other investments include UPL, Apollo Tyres and Lalit Hotels bringing their global marketing headquarters to London, the mayor’s office said.
Sarah Pochin (Photo: UK Parliament)