Op/ED – What India Needs to Learn from David Cameron

Op/Ed – Earlier this week, David Cameron became the first British Prime Minister to pay his respect at the 1919 Massacre site of Jallianwala Bagh in Sri Amritsar Sahib.  David Cameron broke with previous official visits and publicly regretted the horrifying incident that claimed the lives of over 1,000 innocent Punjabis.

In a hand written note, Cameron stated –

“This was a deeply shameful event in British history — one that Winston Churchill rightly described at that time as ‘monstrous’.

We must never forget what happened here. And in remembering, we must ensure that the United Kingdom stands up for the right of peaceful protest around the world.”

Cameron’s visit to India has largely been to reinforce the economic ties between England and India and likely the Jallianwala Bagh apology comes to strengthen support from the British Sikh Community.  Whatever the reasons may be; it is still highly commendable of David Cameron to express his regrets, something which has not been done in the past by a British Prime Minister.

Today, the British Prime Minister is in India stating that the 1919 massacre has brought shame to his country, but leaders of India are still quiet about the inhumane Sikh Genocide, Operation Bluestar and other operations that were carried out post 1984 in Punjab against the Sikhs.  The casualties of Jallianwala Bagh are insignificant when compared to the 1984 genocide of the Sikhs which included the attack on the holiest shrine of the community: the Harmandir Sahib.

India’s leaders ought to learn a lesson from Cameron.  His motives may have been to gather the support of the Sikhs, but the country he is visiting has continued to neglect Punjab and its people, a majority of them being Sikhs.  How long will it take for the Indian Government to denounce and stop its barbaric acts against its own people?  This is a question that needs to be posed to all leaders of the Indian Democracy.

Signed Apology from David Cameron.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Yes the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, has become less significant as history progressed, to the way partition was handled, or mis handled. The original autonomous states of India were never returned to those they belonged to, and bloodshed continous by another murderous regime, in a more systematic covert way. An acknowledgement of such would have been more realistic. Either way SIkhs and other minorities have continued to suffer thereafter to date. Will anyone else follow the precedent he has set? I have my doubts. For all the contributions of the Sikh race, to human rights of others prior, during the British Raj, and thereafter, they have suffered immense losses throughout with little due recognition. Current “Hindustan” is highly discriminatory,thwart with serious orchestrated crime,managed with corrupt legal/police processes,and highly oppressive against the honest/poor. A million Jallianwala Bagh have been repeated in recent decades all that has changed is the victims and culprits are of the same colour,coupled with steadfast denial that there is anything wrong. David Camerons public admittance may prove to be a very timely step.

  2. Your comment shows .
    4 million killed in partition. all bescause of britain who delibratly not decided about paunjab and then 3 days before they divided punjab. they were aware that more siks and hindus are living in pakistan side of punjab and more muslims living on indian side. that called Hippocratic. i am not racist but some people have this in blood they can be hindus, sikhs , muslims or christans.
    now david cammeroooon went to india to run his student shop. he know that indians are emotional and he want it to be advantage to him. eyeing on sikh votes in uk.

    • got to get them on our side, our feelings, our goals. we cannot work alone, to get our freedom and support of the nations together is essential, one at a time. we are God feering peope, stand up for justice and our rights, keep standing strong and unwavering. We will win, just keep going on marg of the Gurus, the success will be ours. Cannot win by dubious means, we are sevadars of our Gurus.
      Keep moving and moving strongly, we are very young religion and belief, it will take time for people to understand. One who do, stand by us for ever, through thick and thin. Sarbat da bhala..
      surjeet kaur

  3. the KILLING 1919 Massacre IS JOKE IN COMPARISON TO HINDU INDIAN GOVERNMENT DID
    THE BRITISH KILLED 1000 WHO WERE FREEDOM FIGHTERS.
    HINDU INDIAN GOVERNMENT KILLED 15000 + AT HARMANDIR SAHIB ATTACKING AKAL TAKHAT SIKH HOME TO THE VERY BODY OF SIKH AND THEY ARE NOT EVEN SORRY.THE BRITISH REGRET THEIR WRONG.HINDUS FEEL RIGHT.IF YOU LOOK AT THE INDIA MEDIA COVERAGE OF JILIA WALA BAG THEY DO NOT SHOW ONE SIKH 95% WHO DIED PR KILLED WERE SIKHS.THE COVERAGE OF CAMERON TO GOLDEN TEMPLE IS BAD AS IT CAN BE BY INDIAN MEDIA.AGAIN IT HINDU CONTROLLED AND THEY HAVE NOT CHANGE ONE BIT STILL ACTS AS WHITE DOG WITH BLACK TAIL

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