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Theresa May on Jallianwala Bagh

Expressed deep regret (moderate)

TL;DR

Theresa May, as British Prime Minister, expressed deep regret for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre but stopped short of a formal apology.

Key Points

  • She described the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre as a "shameful scar" on British Indian history in April 2019.

  • The Prime Minister used the term "deeply regret" regarding the massacre and the suffering it caused.

  • Her statement fell short of the formal, unequivocal apology requested by political rivals and some MPs.

Summary

Theresa May, when serving as British Prime Minister, addressed the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Parliament ahead of its centenary in April 2019. She stated that the United Kingdom "deeply regrets what happened and the suffering caused," acknowledging the event as a "shameful scar" on British Indian history. Her statement quoted Queen Elizabeth II's 1997 description of the tragedy as a "distressing example" of the UK's past with India, while noting the current positive relationship between the two nations.

Her position was characterized by expressing profound regret rather than issuing a formal, unequivocal apology, which had been called for by opposition figures and some parliamentarians. This echoed the sentiments of her predecessor, who had also described the event as "deeply shameful" during a 2013 visit to India. The government minister at the time indicated that an apology could have financial implications, setting the official tone as one of historical acknowledgment without a formal admission of accountability via an apology.

Key Quotes

We deeply regret what happened and the suffering caused

The United Kingdom deeply regrets what happened and the suffering caused in Jallianwala Bagh tragedy

Frequently Asked Questions

Theresa May, while Prime Minister, stated in Parliament that the United Kingdom deeply regretted the events of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the suffering it inflicted. She characterized the incident as a shameful scar on the history of British India.

No, Theresa May stopped short of offering a full, formal apology for the 1919 tragedy when addressing the issue in Parliament. Her official stance was to express "deep regret" instead.

The former Prime Minister made her formal statement on the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in April 2019, just before the 100th anniversary of the event. This statement was delivered during her weekly appearance at Prime Minister's Questions.