Nirpal Shergill in London

LONDON (TIP):   Virendra Sharma MP tabled a Parliamentary Early Day Motion (EDM) earlier this week calling for the British Prime Minister to apologise for the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of 1919. The EDM went further and calls for this shameful piece of history to be taught n British schools, especially in the centenary year.

Virendra Sharma MP stated: “This was an important moment in the history of Britain in India. Many suggest it was the beginning of the end, a moment that finally emboldened the Independence Movement. It must be commemorated, and the British Government should make clear its repudiation of such a barbaric act.”

The massacre left maybe, a 1,000 peaceful protesters dead and began a period of cruel repression in the region. At the time Winston Churchill proclaimed the massacre “monstrous” and the British Government condemned Colonel Dyer for his actions, but no apology has since been forthcoming. Prime Minister, David Cameron visited the site of the massacre in 2013 but stopped short of issuing an apology.

Virendra Sharma ‘s EDM states: “That this House recognises the importance of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of 1919 for its importance as a turning point in the history of the Raj and British Empire in India; notes that the centenary of this event is approaching and that it is appropriate to commemorate it; further recognises that former Prime Minister, David Cameron, referred to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre as a deeply shameful act; further notes that this event does not represent modern British values; urges the Government to ensure that British children are taught about this shameful period and that modern British values welcome the right to peaceful protest; and further urges the Government formally to apologise in the House and inaugurate a memorial day to commemorate this event.