Komagata Maru Incident*
The most striking aspect of the 376 Indians who were part of the
Komagata Maru adventure was the bravery they exhibited, their unwavering
commitment in keeping afloat the pride of their country and vastly influencing
inter-continental movement of mankind. The
story of the Komagata Maru resonates beyond 1914, linking to freedom movement
in India and the right to vote for South Asians in Canada. Their stand echoes
all men and women everywhere who oppose exclusion and domination on grounds of
race, colour and origin. It addresses how we build communities, understand
multiculturalism, how we remember our past and develop multiple connections.
Komagata Maru incident was a very significant event in the history of
Indian revolutionary movement. This was the voyage of Komagata Maru, which
though inspired by the doctrine of the Ghadar party indirectly gave a fillip to
the Indian struggle for freedom. Indians had been migrating to Canada and U.S.A
from the early years of 20th century,
but their growing numbers in Canada was resented by the Canadian Government. As
a result they, with the approval of the British Government, passed a series of
immigration laws restricting the entry of Indians into Canada. An Ordinance
made it mandatory for the passengers to come only direct from India and that
they should have a minimum of 200 Canadian dollars in their possession at the
time of landing. These restrictions, though quite unjustified, were enacted
within the legal framework.
In the second decade of the twentieth century the world was witness to
events unfolding in the wake of the First World War. An enslaved India was no
exception. The sense of patriotism and pride of the country of birth was
growing in the hearts and minds of Indian masses irrespective of their socio-economic
status. A section of Indians especially from the Punjab aspired to work and
settle in western countries mainly to Canada in search of a better living. The overseas Indian community of today
is the result of different waves of migration over hundreds of years driven by
a variety of reasons. They were early harbingers of globalization. But we
should not forget the hard work, sweat and toil of these early pioneers. Its
early experiences make up a saga of trials, tribulations and the eventual
triumph of determination and hard work. The participants in the Komagata Maru
adventure one hundred years ago were the pioneers in this upward movement.
An Indian patriot, Baba Gurdit Singh, a Sikh businessman operating from
Singapore, decided to travel to Canada in order to create a larger network of
Indians that could support the nationalists in India and abroad. So he charted
a Japanese ship named Komagata Maru to sail from Hong Kong to Japan and finish
the journey at Vancouver, Canada. It carried 376 passengers and reached
Vancouver on 23rd May,
1914. When Komagata Maru was not allowed to dock at Vancouver and the
immigrants were refused permission to land “as they had failed to comply with
the requirements of the Canadian Law”. The ship was turned around and forced to depart
on 23 July 1914 for
India. On 29th September,
1914 Komagata Maru returned to India and on reaching Calcutta when
the ship was docked at Budge Budge harbour, the police ordered the arrest
of Baba Gurdit Singh and the 20 other men that they saw as leaders. A passenger
on Komagata Maru told a British officer: “This ship belongs to the whole of
India. This is the symbol of honour of India and if it will
be detained, there will be a mutiny in the army”. A renowned Ghadarite
once said, “We were not Sikhs or Punjabis, our religion was patriotism”. While
Baba Gurdit Singh was
resisting arrest, one of his associates had an alteraction with policeman
leading to a riot. The police opened fire, killing 19 unarmed and defenceless
passengers. Some escaped, but the remainder were arrested and imprisoned or
sent to their villages. Gurdit Singh managed to escape and lived in hiding
until 1922. He was urged by Mahatma Gandhi to give himself up as a 'true
patriot'; he duly did so, and was imprisoned for five years. In
word and deed, those aboard the Komagata Maru upheld the finest traditions of
the freedom struggle.
The Komagata Maru episode attracted worldwide
attention and condemnation. For instance Japan
Chronicle wrote: “It is a
lamentable story and it is to be earnestly hoped that the British Government
will do something for these unhappy men”. This event inflamed the
passions of youth in India to such an extent that Kartar Singh Sarabha, an
eighteen year old student at the University of California, Berkley returned to
India and urged Indian soldiers to revolt. He was arrested and hung until death
in 1915 by the British Government in India. The Komagata Maru incident left a
deep impression in the minds of Indian diaspora in Canada and the people of
India.
The importance of this incident can be
understood how the present generation views this unfortunate event. Most
notable was the apology given in 2008 by the Prime Minister Stephen Harper of
Canada after 94 years. In a goodwill gesture, the people of Canada
marked the centenary of Komagata Maru episode on 23rd May, 2014 in a solemn ceremony. The
Honourable Michel de Jong moved a resolution: I quote: “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 benefitting a society where people of all cultures
are welcomed and accepted” unquote.
The Nation takes pride in commemorating the
Centenary of Komagata Maru incident and salutes the bravery and patriotism
exhibited by the 376 Indians on board. The Ministry of Culture has planned to
organise a series of events to mark this event in this centenary year. I assure
you that the Ministry of Culture will do all it can to keep alive the
sacrifices of these daughters and sons of India and their contributions to our
people. In particular, we will strive to inform and motivate the younger
generation to be inspired by their great example.”
* Excerpts from the speech delivered by Minister
of Culture and Tourism Shri Shripad Naik on the occasion of inauguration of the
centenary commemoration of Komagata Maru Incident.
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