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UK MP seeks formal British apology for Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
Blackman described the incident as a "stain on British colonial rule in India"
Bob Blackman/ Jallianwala Bagh / X/ IndiaCulture.gov
British Conservative Member of Parliament Bob Blackman has called on his government to formally apologize to the people of India for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Speaking in the House of Commons on March 27, two weeks before the 106th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Blackman described the incident as a "stain on British colonial rule in India" and demanded a government statement before the April 13 anniversary.
Also Read: British High Commissioner to India 'regrets' Jallianwala Bagh massacre
"On April 13, 1919, families gathered very peacefully in the Jallianwala Bagh to enjoy the sun, to enjoy a day out with their families," Blackman said. "General Dyer, on behalf of the British Army, marched his troops in and ordered his troops to fire on those innocent people until they ran out of ammunition." He stated that the massacre resulted in 1,500 deaths and 1,200 injuries.
Today, I raised the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
— Bob Blackman (@BobBlackman) March 27, 2025
I asked the Govt to formally give an apology to the people of India ahead of the atrocities anniversary. pic.twitter.com/UMhHY38ISH
Recalling past acknowledgments of the incident, Blackman noted that in 2019, then-Prime Minister Theresa May had described it as a "shameful scar on British Indian history" and expressed "deep regret" over the tragedy. However, he urged the government to go further. "Could we have a statement from the government admitting to what went wrong and formally giving an apology to the people of India?" he asked.
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre is a defining moment in India's struggle for independence. According to official records, British forces under General Michael O'Dyer indiscriminately fired upon a peaceful gathering at the walled garden in Amritsar, leading to widespread casualties. The incident intensified India's demand for self-rule.
Over the years, British leaders have expressed regret but have stopped short of issuing a formal apology. In 2013, then-Prime Minister David Cameron called the massacre "deeply shameful" during a visit to the site. Calls for an official apology have continued, including from Jeremy Corbyn, former leader of the Labour Party, who in 2019 demanded a "full, clear and unequivocal apology."
A memorial at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar stands at the site of the massacre, honoring the estimated 2,000 people who were killed or wounded in the firing.
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