Thread by @WomaninHavana

Today marks a centenary since the Amritsar Massacre, known in India as Jallianwala Bagh.

It is a gaping hole in the knowledge of most people in Britain, whilst still a raw wound for many in India.

We owe it to our own future to be honest about our past. /1

At age 10, I recall being taught in school, without nuance, that Empire had been a force for good. I had by then already heard of Jallianwal Bagh. That was (cough) many years ago, but the nature of public discourse often feels stuck back there, in nostalgic, whitewashed mist. /2

It has been in equal parts ludicrous, embarrassing and sad to watch the Brexit debate often pick up the threads of Empire, without any idea of how others view us.

So, too, the idea that former colonies will wrap us in their family bosom & welcome our patronage once again. /3

I am not a fan of the bland apology. It means nothing if not accompanied by understanding & meaningful self-reflection.

Self-reflection has been strongly lacking in Britain over these last 3 years.

Curiosity, too, has been lacking - do others see us as we see ourselves? /4

Today is a day which can allow us to take the time for that self-reflection and curiosity.

#JallianwalaBagh politicised and mobilised India against British Rule.

Read this, from Rabindranath Tagore, one of India’s most revered poets, then & now. /5

The Tagore letter is taken from this interesting article on #JallianwalaBaghCentenary in @scroll_in.

I commend you also to look at the hashtag to see the prominence of the centenary in Indian public life. /7

scroll.in/article/918247…

I commend you to follow some v knowledgeable TLs on #JallianwalaBaghCentenary- @tweeter_anita, whose The Patient Assassin is gripping reading, @KimAtiWagner with a new book out too, as does @amanmadra.

Must See is @Sathnam on @Channel4 at 9pm tonight. #AmritsarMassacre /ends

PS adding @saliltripathi’s interesting piece which asks a broader question of #humanrights in India today. Yes, demand the wrongs to be righted of #JalianwalaBagh100 but also demans the wrongs to be righted of #1984, #2002 and others.

livemint.com/mint-lounge/fe…

Also adding the new translation of “Khooni Vaishaki”, a long Punjabi poem written by Nanak Singh, a survivor of #JallianwalaBaghMassacre, newly translated in a new book by @navdeepsuri. The British banned the poem in 1920 and copies were destroyed.

cntraveller.in/story/jallianw…

Delighted to be at NAM for launch of @KimAtiWagner @amanmadra @KashiHouse new books on #JallianwalaBagh1919. Intelligent, moving & nuanced discussion led by @Sathnam @thesinghtwins @sugarfilmsuk on why #Massacre1919 matters today.
Our “now” has a legacy we all need to discuss.

Just watched @Sathnam C4 documentary with @KimAtiWagner on #Massacre1919.
Astonishing this is the 1st time British tv has attempted to tackle this. It’s the tip of the iceberg of a critical story. Thank you all for yr courage, & making a start. 🙏🏼
@shamindernahal @sugarfilmsuk

Finished @tweeter_anita The Patient Assassin today, on Udham Singh who assassinated Michael O’Dwyer 20 yrs after #JallianwalaBagh. I highly recommend this gripping historical account.

The extent of the surrounding cover up remains unknown.

Time for transparency on our history.