LONDON — The Sikh Federation (UK) has issued a statement demanding that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer formally apologize to the worldwide Sikh community for the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. A copy of the written release is available with the Sikh Siyasat News (SSN).
The call comes on the anniversary of the April 13 tragedy, aligning with the festival of Vaisakhi. The Sikh Federation (UK) has highlighted that Prime Minister Starmer must “show the courage, humility and leadership to honour Labour’s promise and issue a formal apology” for the colonial-era atrocity in Amritsar.
A History of Unmet Promises The statement reflects on the 100th anniversary of the massacre in 2019, noting the immense pressure placed on then-Prime Minister Theresa May. While May acknowledged the event in Parliament as a “tragedy” and a “shameful scar” on British history, she stopped short of a formal apology. She echoed Queen Elizabeth II’s 1997 sentiments, calling it a “distressing example” of history and stating that the UK “deeply regret[s]” the suffering caused.
According to the Sikh Federation (UK), this acknowledgment fell short of what the community expected. During that time, former Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn pushed for a full apology, a commitment that was formally included in the Labour manifesto. The organization points out that Starmer avoided addressing the issue last year because Parliament was not in session.
The Irony of the Downing Street Reception With Parliament now sitting on April 13, the Sikh Federation (UK) noted the juxtaposition of the government’s current actions. “It is ironic he has invited Sikhs and Labour MPs with large numbers of Sikh constituents to attend a Vaisakhi reception at 10 Downing Street this evening,” the release stated.
The organization warned that failure to deliver on past promises is impacting voter loyalty. They stressed that today offers an opportunity for Starmer to prove, ahead of the upcoming May 7 elections, that he can lead by “honouring a Labour promise.”
The Legacy of Jallianwala Bagh The April 13, 1919 massacre remains a deep wound for the global Sikh community and a pivotal moment in the movement against British colonial rule. On the day of Vaisakhi, up to 20,000 civilians had gathered at the Jallianwala Bagh public gardens in Amritsar to peacefully protest the draconian Rowlatt Act. British troops fired upon the trapped crowd.
Highlighting a statement made in the UK Parliament on March 27, 2025, the release noted: “At the end of the massacre 1,500 people were dead and 1,200 injured.” The tragedy was compounded by the fact that it occurred just five months after the end of the First World War, a conflict in which tens of thousands of turban-wearing Sikh soldiers died fighting for Britain. Many victims at Jallianwala Bagh were shot, while others died in stampedes or by jumping into a large well to escape the gunfire, from which around 120 bodies were later recovered.
The Sikh Federation (UK) emphasizes that the massacre shifted peaceful protests into a more “assertive nationalism against colonial rule,” cementing its place as a major turning point in history.
