E-Paper
No need for apology to Sikhs, says William Hague
Calls by several MPs that Britain should apologise to Sikhs have been resisted by foreign secretary William Hague on the ground that the advice given by a military adviser before Operation Bluestar did not eventually contribute to loss of life or suffering.
Calls by several MPs that Britain should apologise to Sikhs have been resisted by foreign secretary William Hague on the ground that the advice given by a military adviser before Operation Bluestar did not eventually contribute to loss of life or suffering.
Hague’s statement that UK did advise India on Operation Bluestar was followed by a lengthy debate. Thirty-eight MPs including Indian-origin MPs Virendra Sharma and Seema Malhotra participated in the debate. At least six MPs — John McDonnell, Pat McFadden, Chris Williamson, Barry Gardiner, Mike Gapes and Adrian Bailey — suggested that Britain should apologise to the Sikhs.
In a message to the Sikh community here, PM David Cameron said there was “absolutely no” involvement of British government in Operation Bluestar itself, and added: “Around four months before the events, at the request of the Indian Government, a single UK military officer provided some advice. But critically, this advice was not followed, and it was a one-off.”
