February 20, 2013 | By Sikh Siyasat Bureau
Amrtisar, Punjab (February 20, 2013): British Prime Minister David Cameron today visited Sri Amritsar in Punjab and paid obeisance at the holiest shrine of Sikh religion Golden Temple where he was presented a robe of honour.
It is learnt the British prime minister also visited the Jallianwala Bagh memorial, the site of the massacre of hundreds of men, women and children by British troops April 13, 1919 and the Jallianwala Bagh termed as “shameful”.
“This was a deeply shameful act in British history. One that Winston Churchill rightly described at that time as monstrous. We must never forget what happened here and we must ensure that the UK stands up for the right of peaceful protests,” Cameron reportedly wrote in the visitors’ book of the memorial.
“David Cameron makes historic visit to Amritsar – but stops short of making apology” heads a the Telegraph report.
Dal Khalsa lauds British PM’s visit to Darbar Sahib
It is learnt that extending a warm welcome to British PM Mr. David Cameroon and his delegation for visiting Darbar Sahib during his trip to India, a letter has been written by party’s spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh, which has been faxed to British High Commissioner, Sir James Bevan KCMG at New Delhi.
While some may like to see your visit to Golden Temple only as a compulsion of immigration politics, we consider it as a tactical recognition of Sikhs as a separate nation for which your team should be applauded, reads the letter.
Kanwarpal Singh further wrote that in view of the historical Anglo-Sikh connection, the British government owes it to the Sikhs to ensure that their fundamental rights are protected. He pinned hope that Britain would do well to uphold rights including self-determination of all ethnic nationalities, including the Sikhs without fear or favour.
Referring to the British Pod car that would make its presence in Amritsar transporting pilgrims from the city centre to Darbar Sahib, as a significant example of continuing British interest in Punjab, the Dal Khalsa has suggested that the British government should set up a British Council Library in Amritsar for the benefit of students of this region.
The letter appealed to him to be helpful in resolving the identity problems of European Sikhs including turban ban in France.
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Related Topics: Amritsar, Darbar Sahib, David Cameron, Jallianwala Bagh, Punjab, Sikhs in United Kingdom