London: As we approach the 106th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on 13 April eyes are on Keir Starmer to see if he commits in his Vaisakhi message on 14 April to make a formal apology for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre when Parliament returns on 22 April, the Sikh Federation UK said in a recent recent release.

Sikh Federation UK’s lead executive Jaspal Singh said: “Keir Starmer at the Vaisakhi reception at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday evening remained silent on the Jallianwala Bagh massacre despite a number of MPs reminding him in recent weeks of Labour’s promise following the 100th anniversary in 2019 that an incoming Labour PM would make a formal apology”.

“Officials at 10 Downing Street demonstrated they remain uneasy about proper engagement with the Sikh community. Many of those they chose to invite to Downing Street on Tuesday’s reception were linked to Labour – Sikh MPs and non-Sikh MPs with large Sikh constituencies, Labour councillors and Sikh public sector workers – civil servants, military, police etc”, he said.

“MPs invited were told they could nominate one person from their constituency involved in charity work. However, there were only four or five Gurdwara representatives from over 240 Gurdwaras and there were no invitations to mainstream Sikh organisations”, he added.

David Cameron in February 2013 became the first serving UK Prime Minister to pay his respects at the scene of the massacre in Amritsar. He described it as “a deeply shameful event in British history.” In the memorial book of condolence he wrote: “We must never forget what happened here.” He however refused to offer a formal apology.

On the 100th anniversary in April 2019 Theresa May as PM was challenged by the Labour leadership in Parliament to make “a full, clear and unequivocal apology” for the massacre. Similar to previous prime ministers she expressed “deep regret” and described the massacre as a “shameful scar” on British history, but this fell short of a formal apology. She repeated these words of regret at the Vaisakhi reception at 10 Downing Street in 2019.

Notably, the Labour manifesto for the December 2019 General Election stated: “We will issue a formal apology for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, and hold a public review into Britain’s role in the Amritsar massacre” in June 1984.

The Sikh Federation (UK) has reportedly written to remind the Foreign Secretary and Cabinet Office Ministers for the last six months on the need for a formal apology to the worldwide Sikh community for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in April 2025 as promised.

On 27 March Bob Blackman MP raised the need for a formal apology in Parliament and stated “At the end of the massacre 1.500 people were dead and 1,200 injured.” Many were shot dead, but some died by being crushed in the stampede or jumping into a large well to avoid being shot. Around 120 bodies were recovered from the well.

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre near Sri Harmandir Sahib took place on 13 April 1919 in Amritsar within months of the end of the First World War where tens of thousands of turban-wearing Sikh soldiers had sacrificed their lives fighting for Britain. As 13 April marked Vaisakhi, the creation of the Khalsa, up to 20,000 civilians, many who had been worshipping earlier at the Golden Temple had gathered at the Jallianwala Bagh public gardens to protest against the Rowlatt Act that had been introduced to limit civil liberties.

The Jallianwala Bagh could only be exited on one side, as its other three sides were enclosed by buildings. British Indian army troops after blocking the exit made no effort to disperse the crowds, but the troops were ordered to shoot indiscriminately at the crowd, continuing to fire even as the men, women and children tried to flee. The troops kept on firing for around 10 minutes until their ammunition was low and they were ordered to stop.

Dabinderjit Singh OBE, the Lead Executive for Political Engagement at the Sikh Federation (UK) said:

“Keir Starmer, as the PM must make a formal apology for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Parliament as promised.”

“He missed the opportunity to make the apology to the worldwide Sikh community before the recess and the 13 April anniversary.”

“All eyes are on Keir Starmer to see if he commits in his Vaisakhi message on 14 April to make a formal apology when Parliament returns on 22 April.”

“We have been told the Vaisakhi reception at Downing Street on Tuesday was not for Sikh community representatives, but primarily for Labour loyalists or Sikhs working in the public sector.”

“It is clear Sikhs would not he invited that may challenge the Labour government to honour its promises on an apology for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and a judge-led inquiry on UK involvement in the June 1984 massacre.”

Keir Starmer and 10 Downing Street made a gaffe in November 2024 when they forgot to acknowledge the Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. In January Keir Starmer appointed Joy Johnson as the Prime Minister’s Special Adviser for Faith who will not want to make the same mistake and will be reflecting on the content of Keir Starmer’s Vaisakhi message on 14 April.

Last week over 400 UK Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations wrote to Keir Starmer imploring the Labour government to honour his personal commitment and announce a judge-led inquiry. A two month ultimatum has been given until the end of May to make the announcement of the judge-led public inquiry that was promised while in the 40th anniversary year of the June 1984 Sikh Genocide.