Komagata Maru Remembrance Marked In BC Legislature
The Government of British Columbia joined with opposition MLAs and many from the Indo-Canadian community to remember the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the ship and its passengers. The Komagata Maru incident was a stain on the history of Canada and highlights the racist government policies of the time. Despite the fact that all of the passengers were British Subjects, they were not allowed to set foot on Canadian soil. Instead, they faced racism and hatred. In 2008, the B.C. legislature made a formal apology to the South Asian community and to the families of the victims of this incident. The motion reads as follows: “Be it resolved that this Legislature apologizes for the events of May 23, 1914, when 376 passengers of the Komagata Maru, stationed off Vancouver harbour, were denied entry by Canada. The House deeply regrets that the passengers, who sought refuge in our country and our province, were turned away without benefit of the fair and impartial treatment befitting a society where people of all cultures are welcomed and accepted.” Komagata Maru entered Vancouver’s Burrard Inlet on May 23, 1914, carrying 376 passengers from India who had hopes for a new life in Canada. After that long journey they were turned away and not allowed to enter the country. What made this event more tragic was that, upon their forced repatriation to India, 19 individuals were killed.
