'Profound shame': Archbishop Of Canterbury Justin Welby lays prostrate at Jallianwala Bagh Memorial, apologises for massacre

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”. 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.” “My first response is to pray for healing of relatives, of descendants, of our relationships with India and its wonderful people. In the presence of a sizeable gathering inside the Jallianwala Bagh, the Canterbury archbishop, who is on 10-day tour of India, In his address, Welby said, “I can’t speak for the British government as I am not official of the British government. 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.” Terming the massacre misuse of power, the archbishop said, “I came in seeking the sorrow and repentance suffered at the hands of British soldiers.