HVK Archives: 'Queen's Amritsar visit won't suffice'
'Queen's Amritsar visit won't suffice' - The Hindustan Times
Raveen Thukral
()
7 August 1997
Title: 'Queen's Amritsar visit won't suffice' - She must go to
Hussainiwala: Bhagat's kin
Author: Raveen Thukral
Publication: The Hindustan Times
Date: August 7, 1997
Prof. Jagmohan Singh, who has raised the controversial demand for Queen
Elizabeth II tendering an apology for the brutal massacre of thousands of
people in 1919 at the historic Jallianwala Bagh during her proposed visit
to Amritsar in October, has now said that the Queen's gesture would only be
complete if she visits the memorial of Bhagat Singh at Hussainiwala in
Ferozepur district.
Expressing shock over the Government's failure to raise this issue for the
past 50 years, Prof. Singh, nephew of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, also
demanded that Parliament should at least take up the issue now and pass a
resolution demanding an apology from the UK Government for committing the
most "inhuman act of suppressing an individual's fundamental and human
rights".
Talking to The Hindustan Times at his residence here, Prof. Jagmohan said
that a mere visit to Amritsar would not suffice. "If the Queen has chosen
Amritsar for her visit how can she ignore Hussainiwala that has become the
pilgrimage of every freedom loving individual." Saying that the purpose
behind his demand is to "end the dark chapter of history by putting the
record straight", the Professor added that this would also ensure that no
Governments in future resorted to such brutal crimes.
Opining that the Queen's reluctance to apologise or ignore Hussainiwala
would only strengthen the process of "traumatising the Sikhs" - a process
that began several decades ago. Prof. Singh said that the theme of the Sikh
order -created by Guru Gobind Singh - is the creation of a humanistic
force. He said that such a gesture by the Queen would also go a long way in
justifying the celebrations of the 50th year of the adoption of the UN
Human Rights Charter and 300 years of the Khalsa in 1999.
Pointing out that even Bhagat Singh had regretted the killing of Saunders,
as is evident from his writings, Prof. Singh said "Bhagat Singh was a lover
of humanity and this is evident from the fact that he went on a 126-day
hunger strike as an undertrial in order to improve the conditions inside
the jails." Prof. Singh said that his maternal uncle chose the gallows
instead of surrendering to the imperialistic forces.
Prof. Singh also disclosed that he had, in a recent letter, also tendered
an "unqualified" apology to Saunders' family. He said that he had taken
this step to ensure that the international community of nations enters the
21st century with a more humane face.
"We are value-based people and we must ensure that there is no political
economy of human rights and this can only-be proved if Britain, whose
revolves around protecting and upholding human rights, own up its past
mistake, Prof. Singh said.
This demand of Prof. Singh, which he says is the demand of every Indian,
has begun attracting support from unexpected quarters all over the country.
Perhaps sensing the emotional dividends of this demand, Punjab Chief
Minister Prakash Singh Badal, has also joined hands with the Professor and
categorically stated that "an apology from the Queen will be a welcome
Resture on the eve of the celebrations of 50 years of Independence.
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