British Prime Minister David Cameron described the killing of peaceful protesters in Jallianwala Bagh in 1919 during British rule as “deeply shameful” but stopped short of a public apology.

Writing in the visitor’s book of Jallianwalla Bagh, Cameron said, “This was a deeply shameful act in British history. One that Winston Churchill rightly described at that time as monstrous. We must never forget what happened here and we must ensure that the UK stands up for the right of peaceful protests around the world”.

Cameron, who is the first democratically elected British Prime Minister to visit the site, kneeled down while paying tribute to martyrs and observed one-minute silence with folded hands to give respect to the martyrs.

Cameron paid floral tribute to the martyrs of Jallianwalla Bagh. He also stood for a few seconds before the Amar Joyti (burning flame) at Jallianwalla Bagh where he bowed his head to show respect to the martyrs.