Archbishop of Canterbury apologises for Amritsar Massacre on 100th anniversary
The archbishop of Canterbury said Tuesday he regrets a massacre by British colonial forces of hundreds of Indians participating in a peaceful demonstration for independence 100 years ago.
Archbishop Justin Welby spoke at a memorial for victims of the attack in northwest India.
The massacre took place at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar on April 13, 1919, when the British Indian Army opened fire at a crowd demonstrating for independence, killing more than 300 and injuring 1,200.
"I am so ashamed and sorry for the impact of this crime committed here. As a religious leader, I mourn the tragedy I see here," the archbishop said.
He said he could not speak on the behalf of the British government, but he was "personally very sorry for this terrible atrocity."
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When asked if he would seek an apology from the British government, Mr Welby said, "I think I have been very clear about what I feel and that will be broadcast in England," the Press Trust of India news agency reported.
In April, then British Prime Minister Theresa May called the killings a "shameful scar" in British-Indian history but stopped short of a formal apology.