Mr Cameron wrote that the Jallianwalla Bagh episode, in which hundreds of protesting Indians were gunned down, was ‘deeply shameful’.. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
It is also noteworthy that Cameron’s expression of regret was only for this incident and not for the fact that Britain ruled India for over a century with little thought for the hopes and aspirations of the locals. There are still many who see colonialism as a noble, if misguided endeavour, where the British sought to develop and civilise the world. What is glossed over is the fact that colonialism was an economic enterprise where Britain made use of the world’s resources only for its own benefit. Certainly, a connection exists between Britain and its former colonies but it is a connection steeped in inequality. But none of this is likely to be seriously pondered over by any mainstream British politician.
During his Indian visit, Mr Cameron also scoffed at the idea of returning the Kohinoor diamond to India. The Kohinoor diamond is now part of the royal jewels and, like much of the heritage on display in British museums, was originally taken from a colony. There is again some of the colonial mentality on display here. Britain believes that it is a greater custodian of these treasures than the country to which it rightly belongs. And now, that it is a middling power on the world stage, Britain seems to have only these reminders of its glorious past. Regret is welcome but a more concrete reckoning is still owed to the former colonies.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 23rd, 2013.
COMMENTS (6)
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@Anand Kumar: Sorry Anand, but I find it difficult to accept your argument that India became a secular country as a result of British rule. India's secular character was shaped in large part by an astute leadership that gained experience over a period of time and realized the requirements of a modern society. It was also driven by her desire to negate the basic tenet of founding of Pakistan and hence it was imperative for her to make sure that all religions were secure.
The editorial forgot to mention that in the same comment the British PM wrote **that we should never forget what happened here", though it came too late.
Until the second world war, the entire world was operating on different dictum of different planet, and judging the colonial British empire with twenty first century ethics is unfair.
Many native Americans of Americas could also take a different view "had it not for the quest of India, we could have been better off"!
There are good and bad things when we look at the history objectively and we cannot do anything about the past but can make a future of idealism, which seems to be the goal of all nations after the WW II.
If we go on an apology tour there is no end. I wonder whether the past relics, knowledge, literature, art of the subcontinent would have survived had it not for the scholarship of the British army officers, who had spent more time in these than shooting the gun.
Every conquering and native powers until WWII did unimaginable atrocities in their quest, but it is incumbent upon the "modern humans" to view things differently and draw an objective conclusion.
The Brits "restored" the Asoka empire of India and carved out PAK and laid the foundation of institutions, knowledge, banking and finance of the modern times and Republic of India today which never exited in history is the direct beneficiary. The other conquering colonizing powers of Europe destroyed the local culture and never built anything to the natives for their benefit. Whereas, Brits did and we must acknowledge that.
In sum total, in the subcontinent, the British presence was good. The local culture, art, music, knowledge, populace, and resources survived and the local wealth was accounted in a ledger to be borrowed and lent, unlike the native rulers who built opulent palaces while their peasants lived in object poverty in the land where every square foot was under the plough time immemorial.
British museum preserved the past very well,in scholarship and display and people should leave them there for the future generations to preserve.
The kohinoor diamond was a private wealth of the looting maharajahs and people of India should always remember that. Besides, every time the British crown in placed on the head, it is a testament to show where the crown wealth came from! Soon, future kings and queens will stop crowning them with that as it will become a symbol of shame than a royal diadem
Let us get this right. British have to be apologetic about ruling 'India', without concern for 'locals'??
What about innumerable Muslims kings, who invaded, murdered and subjugated 'locals'?? How about the ethnic cleansing of Kashmir of its hindus under sword? What about the multi generation rule of Mughals (Mongols)?
India is that unfortunate country, which forgot how to be united and preserve its culture - and vultures from various parts of the world came in and took their pound of flesh. So much so, India of today is so different from what it was even 500 yrs back.
Such is flow of history.
The best thing that happened to India, was British colonial rule and its subsequent partitioning. If it weren't for British colonial rule interrupting Mughal rule, India would have become a Muslim majority nation, and would be sailing in the same boat as Pakistan. I am not saying British colonial rule was great. But sometimes good things come out of a bad phase. Secular India is definitely a by product of British rule.
I have read in the papers that Brits of Sub- Continent descent has knocked down the statue of that notorious murderous general Dyer in London several times and the local government put it right back again and again, it shows how much sensitivity Brits have toward the massacre of Jallianwala Bagh. It seems General Dyer is worshiped as a hero by some people in London.Old habits just won't go away would they.
This editorial is surprisingly non-partisan. Good work ET! It is no wonder that so many Indians flock to your website.