From August 31 to September 10, Archbishop Justin Welby spent his time in India, as he was invited by the United Churches of North and South India. In his 10-day visit, he also paid a visit to the Jallianwala Bagh memorial. At the site, he apologised “in the name of Christ” for the 1919 massacre at Amritsar in India.
Who Is Justin Welby?
Justin Welby had an 11-year-long career in the industry before he was ordained in 1992. Afterwards, he spent his first 15 years in Coventry diocese. In 2022, he was made a Conon of Coventry Cathedral, where he led international reconciliation work. He also worked extensively in Africa and the Middle East (West Asia).
From 2007 to 2011, he was the Dean of Liverpool and for one year till 2012, he was the Bishop of Durham. In late 2012, he was announced as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury. In a service at Canterbury Cathedral on March 21, 2013, he was installed as the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Archbishop Apologised For The Violence Committed By British Forces
From August 31 to September 10, he spent his time in India, as he was invited by the United Churches of North and South India. In his 10-day visit, he also paid a visit to the Jallianwala Bagh memorial. At the site, he apologised “in the name of Christ” for the 1919 massacre at Amritsar in India.
What Is the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre?
On April 13, 1919, British troops open fired on a large crowd of unarmed Indians in an open space in Amritsar. Colonel Reginald Dyer had imposed Section 144 to ban people from assembling in groups in Amritsar. However, people from neighboring cities arrived there to celebrate Baisakhi, a spring festival.
The place was completely enclosed by walls and only had one exit. Seeing so many people, Dyer and his soldiers arrived and sealed off the exit. Without any warning, the troops opened fire on the crowd. Many also jumped into a well, in a hope of saving their lives. After they ceased firing, the troops withdrew from the place, leaving the dead and wounded behind.