Fawad backs calls for British govt to apologise over Jallianwala Bagh massacre

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday backed calls for the British government to apologise over the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar.

On April 13, 1919, British troops had opened fire on thousands of unarmed protesters at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, killing about 400 people according to colonial-era records. Indian figures, however, put the death toll at closer to 1,000.

“Fully endorse the demand that British empire must apologise to the nations of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh on Jallianwala Massacre and Bengal famine,” the minister tweeted.

“These tragedies are the scar on the face of Britain, also KohENoor must be returned to Lahore museum where it belongs,” he further demanded.

Fully endorse the demand that British empire must apologise to the nations of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh on Jallianwala Massacre and Bengal famine .. these tragedies are the scar on the face of Britain, also KohENoor must be returned to Lahore museum where it belongs

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 11, 2019

Lately, British Prime Minister Theresa May in a statement had expressed regret for the massacre by British troops in India in 1919, but stopped short of a full apology.

“We deeply regret what happened and the suffering caused,” May told the British parliament.

Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, called for “a full, clear and unequivocal apology”.