BC marks 109th anniversary of Komagata Maru tragedy

Vancouver considers naming Canada Place Street as “Komagata Maru Place”
One of Vancouver’s most iconic and busiest streets may be getting a new secondary name. The city of Vancouver is considering a proposal that the primary street Canada Place be provided a secondary honourary name “Komagata Maru Place” as an act of cultural redress for the City’s role in the tragic incident.
Canada marked 109th anniversary of Komagata Maru tragedy. Komagata Maru Remembrance Day is an occasion to commemorate the 376 passengers, Sikhs, Muslims, and Hindus, who journeyed aboard the Komagata Maru ship in 1914 in BC in search of a better life. They were denied entry into Vancouver due to discriminatory policies.
“We are extremely happy, this is great news,” said Raj Singh Toor, spokesman for the Descendants of the Komagata Maru Society, which submitted a renaming request to the city in 2018. “Hundreds of thousands of people go there. It’s a great tribute to those passengers who suffered a lot during the tragedy.”
Toor’s grandfather was one of the 376 passengers aboard the Komagata Maru who were forbidden from disembarking and were stuck on-board for two months amid deteriorating living conditions.
Premier David Eby issued a statement on the anniversary of the Komagata Maru’s arrival in British Columbia. He said that BC has been taking efforts to redress the wrongdoings of the past and will continue its fight against systematic racism. “The Province of British Columbia formally apologized for its role in discriminating against the Komagata Maru passengers in 2008. Last year, the government funded the South Asian Canadian Legacy Project to raise awareness about the contributions of South Asian Canadians to our province’s culture, history and economy. Meanwhile, consultations are ongoing for the creation of a museum to share and preserve the stories, artifacts and documents of South Asian Canadians. Our government introduced an Anti-Racism Data Act last year, the first of its kind in Canada. It is yet another important step toward dismantling systemic racism as we build a more equitable, inclusive and welcoming province for everyone.”
The City of Mission too proclaimed May 23, 2023, as Komagata Maru Remembrance Day with efforts of Toor.
“I would like to say thank you to the Respected Mayor Paul Horn and City Council of Mission for recognizing the Komagata Maru passengers and proclaimed May 23rd 2023 as a Komagata Maru Day in the City of Mission on my request,” said Raj Singh Toor, Vice President and spokesperson, Descendants of the Komagata Maru Society.
The City of Mission Council and City of Mission School Board approved a Komagata Maru display Board to educate students in Mission’s schools (elementary, middle and secondary schools). “It’s very good learning tool to connect the future generations to their past. It’s a great tribute to those passengers who suffered a lot during the tragedy,” said Singh.
“I would like to say thanks to the Respected Mayor Paul Horn and City Council of Mission and City of Mission School Board and the members of Mission’s Community Heritage Commission for recognizing the Komagata Maru passengers and make Komagata Maru School display Board realty,” he added.
In 1914, on the eve of World War I, a steam ship called Komagata Maru arrived in Vancouver carrying 376 passengers from Hong Kong. The ship was chartered by a wealthy businessman Gurdit Singh who lived in Singapore. He was a leader of the Ghardarist Movement which challenged British laws in India and elsewhere.
Singh recruited supporters from Hong Kong, Moji, Shanghai and Yokohama. When they arrived in Vancouver, some were allowed entry if they were previous residents, but many were forced to stay aboard the ship.
The ship stayed for two months and eventually ran out of food and water. Then the Komagata Maru was escorted out of the harbour by the Royal Navy. After sailing to India, a riot broke out as passengers were arrested by the British Indian government for rebelling. Gurdit Singh escaped but nineteen passengers were shot and killed during the riot.
The incident highlights the complications of the threat of war while British Columbia was a British Dominion. It also illustrates the complicated nature of immigration policies of 1914, where some immigrants were welcome, while others were not.