Revelations that Margaret Thatcher's Government was actively consulted ahead of the Indian Army's June 1984 assault on Sikhism's holiest shrine has predictably provoked vehement indignation in Punjab.
Several leaders including Punjab's chief minister and the Jathedar or chief priest of the Akal Takht, the highest religious and temporal seat of the Sikh Community, demanded an unconditional and befitting gesture of apology from the incumbent British Government.
The United Kingdom is home to nearly a million Sikhs, including second and third generation emigrants, and the angry voices of protest are certain to bring considerable pressure on Prime Minister David Cameron and his Government to try and make amends.
Chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, who has hitherto blamed the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the Congress party for desecrating the shrine and killing hundreds innocent pilgrims besides the militant chief Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his armed followers, now says, both India and Britain must share the guilt of planning and executing the army action.
with thanks : India Today : LINK : for detailed news.
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