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For the first time in its 81-year history, the remembrance service at the cenotaph, a tomb-like monument dedicated to all war dead of the commonwealth, is to include Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Buddhist representatives.
British Home Secretary Jack Straw has sanctioned the changes to the ceremony, to be held in two weeks, to recognise the contribution of non-Christian men from the nations of the former British empire who fought for the Crown, the Sunday Times reported today.
The Indian army lost 1,61,000 men in the two World Wars. Three million Indian soldiers fought with Britain in the Second World War and 140,000 in the first World War.
In 1914, Indian troops were mobilised so quickly that they arrived in France still dressed in their tropical uniforms, and within a month had won their first Victoria cross.
The initiative for giving representation to Hindu and other non-Christian religions was taken in February by Lord Weatheril, former Speaker of the House of Commons, who served in the Indian Army in the World War ii with the 19th lancers.
He wrote to Straw, urging him to invite Hindu, Sikh, Muslim representatives to the cenotaph ceremony.
In his letter, Weatherill wrote “I am in close touch with the Indian and Pakistani community, who feel very strongly that the contribution of their forebears has never been adequately understood or appreciated.”
Weatherill’s campaign, which is supported by the Royal British Legion, was helped by the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, who consulted Buckingham Palace over the change in prayer.
Reacting to the government decision, Weatherill said “I am delighted by the news. We are at last recognising the contribution of the Indian subcontinent, but it is long overdue.”
The cenotaph ceremony first took place on November 11, 1919. The monument, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, is dedicated to all war dead of the Commonwealth. The service is now held on the Sunday closest to November 11, the anniversary of the armistice that ended the World War ii in 1918.
The Queen, who will lead
the homage to the war dead, has also agreed to a change to the main prayer
used during the short act of commemoration.
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