Canada-based NGO seeks official apology from UK

An apology is an act that would reflect upon the postcolonial society we now have, and the sheer disgust civilised nations feel towards such atrocities. SAHIB SINGH THIND, NGO president

CHANDIGARH : In a memorandum sent to British Prime Minister Theresa May, Canada-based NGO Professor Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation has demanded United Kingdom’s official apology for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of April 13, 1919.

In the memorandum, NGO president Sahib Singh Thind wrote, “As you’re well aware, the incident was the doing of troops of the British Indian Army, under the command of Colonel Reginald Dyer. These troops indiscriminately opened fire upon approximately 2500 civilian men, women, and children. These civilians were pilgrims from surrounding villages gathering in Amritsar for the annual Vaisakhi Festival. It is estimated that 1,000 civilians were murdered by these troops.”

He added, “On behalf of the South Asian diaspora, and families of victims of the occupation, we would like to request the Government of the United Kingdom to officially apologise for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. An apology is an act that would reflect upon the post-colonial society we now have, and the sheer disgust civilised nations feel towards such atrocities.”.

Camping in London these days, and meeting other political leaders to build up a movement on the issue, Thind said he has been told by political leaders that a wrong was done in the massacre and the UK government should seek forgiveness.