Remorseful British accounts in the Jallianwala Bagh visitors book
While a controversy is brewing about an apology from Queen Elizabeth for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the visitor's book at the Jallianwala Bagh memorial is a redressal of sorts. The book records some remorseful entries from some prominent visitors.
When British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited Jallianwala Bagh as
head of a British parliamentary delegation on April 11, 1990, he said it was
a reminder of the worst aspects of colonialism.
''A memorial which reminds us of the worst aspects of
colonialism but fortunately the friendship between the two
countries has survived it.'' Blair, then a Labour Party MP wrote
in the book.
"It is a memorial to freedom which has
moved me greatly,'' he said.
Tony Jessal, a member of the House of Commons, who visited
the place along with a parliamentary delegation in September 1994,
wrote: ''Deeply moved by what we learnt and what we saw of this
tragic and disastrous event. The sacrifice will never be forgotten.
We pay our respects to their memory.''
Meanwhile, Betty Boothroyd, speaker of the House of Commons
expressed shock over the massacre. "The massacre
at Amritsar marked a turning point in Indian history -- this visit
has been a privilege," she noted.
Hubel Dug, a retired head teacher of a school in Birmingham,
who visited the city along with his wife Elena last year, described
the massacre as an "outrageous act from which India drew strength."
David Gore-Booth, the British high commissioner to India,
who visited the spot on June 22, wrote, "I feel touched to have had the
opportunity to visit the Jallianwala Bagh and I pay my respects at
this beautiful monument."
Simpson, a British tourist who visited the monument last November,
recorded: "As descendants of the British who committed this massacre, we
regret on behalf of our ancestors. We feel sorry for their pride,
domination and hatred because in their action they betrayed lord
Jesus so please accept our apologies."
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