National

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issues statement on the 108th anniversary of Komagata Maru

Darpan News Desk Twitter, 23 May, 2022 01:04 PM

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and BC Premier John Horgan both issued statments on the 108th anniversary of the Komagata Maru calling the incident racist and shameful.

We must never forget the pain and suffering caused by the shameful Komagata Maru incident. On the 108th anniversary, let us honour the victims by continuing to fight racism and discrimination in all its forms – and make sure the mistakes of our past never happen again.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 23, 2022

My full statement on the anniversary of the Komagata Maru incident: https://t.co/wXUOkqIGd3
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 23, 2022

In 1914, the Canadian government turned away most of the passengers of the Japanese steamship Komagata Maru, who were Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims and who'd hoped to start a new life in Canada.

The 376 passengers arrived off the coast of B.C. hoping to challenge the immigration laws at the time which refused entry to any Indians who had not arrived in Canada via a continuous journey from the home country — nearly impossible at the time.

Except for 20 passengers who had previously lived in Canada, officials refused to allow the Indians in, even though they were British subjects just like every other Canadian of the time.

The vessel sailed to India, where 19 of the passengers were killed in a skirmish with British authorities and dozens of others were imprisoned or forced into hiding.

BC Premier John Horgan also tweeted about the horrific act.

108 yrs ago, 376 Sikh, Muslim and Hindu passengers arrived on the Komagata Maru seeking a better life.

They were barred entry from BC.

It reminds us of the harms of systemic racism and the resiliency of people standing against injustice, working to build a more equitable BC.
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) May 23, 2022

Parliamentary Secretary for anti-racist initiatives also shared her voice via a Twitter post.

🙏 https://t.co/qsY0r7bEsi
— Rachna Singh (@RachnaSinghNDP) May 23, 2022

Vancouver Police also shared a post honouring those who were denied entry.

Join us in honouring those who travelled on the Komagata Maru. https://t.co/oAKWuy4MEX
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) May 23, 2022

The City of Vancouver also issued an apology in the past for this historic wrongdoing and shared a Twitter post to spread awareness regarding the incident.

What was the 1914 Komagata Maru incident?

Listen to passengers’ descendants and families tell the story of what happened this #KomagataMaruRemembranceDay.

Watch the full video: https://t.co/sq3WFfa2lW pic.twitter.com/TQREkaxW6u
— City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) May 23, 2022

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Charges approved after women allegedly sexually assaulted during treatments at Burnaby skincare clinic

An investigation was launched in 2019 after a victim reported to police that she was sexually assaulted during treatment at a business operating as Fab Skin Care at 5481 Kingsway in Burnaby.

Charges approved after women allegedly sexually assaulted during treatments at Burnaby skincare clinic

Three People Charged for Keeping an Illegal Gaming House

Evidence gathered indicated that the Vancouver residence was being rented for the purpose of setting up and operating an alleged illegal gaming establishment.

Three People Charged for Keeping an Illegal Gaming House

Ukrainians can now apply for 3-year stay in Canada

The federal government has begun accepting applications from Ukrainians and their families fleeing Russian aggression who want to come to Canada while they decide their next steps. The program to allow an unlimited number of Ukrainians to come to Canada was first announced two weeks ago.

Ukrainians can now apply for 3-year stay in Canada

Gov. Gen. Simon requested briefing on Indian Act

Canada's first Indigenous Governor General, within months of being appointed to the role, requested government officials outline what departments were doing to allow First Nations to move away from the Indian Act. Mary Simon, an Inuk leader, diplomat and negotiator, was sworn in last July as the country's 30th Governor General.

Gov. Gen. Simon requested briefing on Indian Act

Class action against RCMP for bullying to proceed

The Supreme Court of Canada will not hear an appeal from the federal government trying to stop a class action against the RCMP over bullying and harassment. Last fall the Federal Court of Appeal upheld a judge's order certifying the class action.

Class action against RCMP for bullying to proceed

Vaccinated travellers won't need COVID-19 test to enter Canada as of April 1

The change is being made at the tail end of the Omicron wave in Canada, as new reported cases of COVID-19 have declined since mid-January. Duclos said the change is possible because of Canada's high vaccination rates and fewer cases of the virus being detected at the border.