Remembrance Day glorifies a bloody empire. For that reason,
I will never wear a poppy. It is that simple. It is not to remember the
soldiers that died fighting fascism, like some may claim. The British government
has to completely denounce the actions carried out by the empire and apologise
to those that suffered. Only then can we move forward.
Unfortunately, many across this island do not see the empire
as a bloody, genocidal empire, which it was. Look at the crimes it committed.
The people that suffered under the fist of white supremacy. The effects of the
empire can still be seen today. Many of the countries ruled by the empire still
has a large population living in deep poverty. Many backward laws were put in
place by the empire. The British can’t look at themselves as holier than thou, when
they enforced the laws condemning people to a life of suffering across the
world.
As a person with Indian heritage, living in the UK, Remembrance
Day is particularly hard for me. It is a reminder to myself that many people do
not regret the suffering this country caused my ancestors. For a century, the
people of the sub-continent were treated as animals, living under the harshest of
conditions. There is no regret for all the pain caused and the number of people
killed as a result of the actions of British officials. Too often I am reading
and seeing people glorifying the ruthless empire and wanting a return to the “good
ol’ days”.
Freedom fighter such as Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh, Ashfaqulla
Khan, Pritilata Waddedar and others are heroes who fought for the freedom of
their people and the freedom of all people around the world. Unfortunately,
British history will always see them as terrorists who caused fear and destruction.
British history will never tell the true stories of these people. They will never
teach the true crimes committed by the empire. Not until they own up and apologise
for the horrors they committed across the world.
As an Indian, on Remembrance Day, I will be remembering the
victims of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and all those killed at the hands of Michael
O’Dwyer. I will be remembering all those who starved at the hands of Churchill during
the Bengal famine. I will be remembering all the freedom fighters who fought
and died for the freedom of all people. I will be remembering all my ancestors
who suffered at the hands of imperialism. I will also be remembering the
victims of British imperialism all over the world. The sun never set on the horrors
of British imperialism.
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