Deeply humbling, provokes feeling of profound shame: Canterbury Archbishop on Jallianwala Bagh visit

Archbishop of Canterbury Reverend Justin Welby on Tuesday visited Jallianwala Bagh, the site of British colonial era massacre, and said it was a "deeply humbling" experience and provoked "feelings of profound shame".

The massacre took place at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar during the Baisakhi festival in April 1919 when the British Indian Army under the command of Colonel Reginald Dyer opened fire at a crowd staging a pro-independence demonstration, leaving scores of people dead.

In the visitors' book, Welby wrote, "It is deeply humbling and provokes feelings of profound shame to visit this place that witnessed such atrocities hundred years ago."
In his address, Welby said, "I can't speak for the British government as I am not official of the British government. But I can speak in the name of Christ. It is a place of sin and for redemption."
"Because you have remembered what they have done and their name will live, their memory will live before God. I am so ashamed and sorry for the impact of the crime committed. I am a religious leader not a politician. As a religious leader, I mourn the tragedy."
Asked if he would ask British government to seek apology for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the archbishop said, "I think I have been very clear about what I feel and that will be broadcast in England."