Remorseful British accounts in the Jallianwala Bagh visitors book

While a controversy is brewing about an apology from Queen Elizabeth for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the visitor's book at the Jallianwala Bagh memorial is a redressal of sorts. The book records some remorseful entries from some prominent visitors.

When British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited Jallianwala Bagh as head of a British parliamentary delegation on April 11, 1990, he said it was a reminder of the worst aspects of colonialism.

''A memorial which reminds us of the worst aspects of colonialism but fortunately the friendship between the two countries has survived it.'' Blair, then a Labour Party MP wrote in the book.

"It is a memorial to freedom which has moved me greatly,'' he said.

Tony Jessal, a member of the House of Commons, who visited the place along with a parliamentary delegation in September 1994, wrote: ''Deeply moved by what we learnt and what we saw of this tragic and disastrous event. The sacrifice will never be forgotten. We pay our respects to their memory.''

Meanwhile, Betty Boothroyd, speaker of the House of Commons expressed shock over the massacre. "The massacre at Amritsar marked a turning point in Indian history -- this visit has been a privilege," she noted.

Hubel Dug, a retired head teacher of a school in Birmingham, who visited the city along with his wife Elena last year, described the massacre as an "outrageous act from which India drew strength."

David Gore-Booth, the British high commissioner to India, who visited the spot on June 22, wrote, "I feel touched to have had the opportunity to visit the Jallianwala Bagh and I pay my respects at this beautiful monument."

Simpson, a British tourist who visited the monument last November, recorded: "As descendants of the British who committed this massacre, we regret on behalf of our ancestors. We feel sorry for their pride, domination and hatred because in their action they betrayed lord Jesus so please accept our apologies."

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