STATEMENT BY NDP MP JASBIR SANDHU ON THE 98th ANNIVERSARY OF THE KOMAGATA MARU BEING TURNED AWAY FROM CANADA
SURREY, B.C., – July 23rd marks the 98th anniversary the Komagata Maru ship being forced to leave Canada and return back to Asia. Today we remember this tragedy and injustice.
The “Continuous Journey” was a government regulation that prevented passengers of the Komagata Maru from disembarking off the ship.
The New Democratic Party has repeatedly called on Stephen Harper’s Conservative government to offer a dignified, official apology for the Komagata Maru tragedy in the House of Commons. Sadly, they continue to refuse. In May of this year, the Conservatives even voted against my NDP Opposition motion calling for an apology, and they continue to deny the significance of this historical wrong.
On this day, 98 years ago, after remaining in Burrard Inlet for two months, while passengers were prevented from landing in Canada and denied basic necessities like food and water, Canadian courts, supported by the military, forced the ship to return. After its arrival back in colonial India, the local police fired on the passengers and 19 people were shot dead. Others were imprisoned and stayed in detention.
In pursuit of a better life, those 376 passengers risked everything to come to Canada, and when they arrived on our shores, were turned away, because they were not the kind of immigrant this country wanted.
Fortunately, Canada has rejected those racist policies of the past but must apologize for the tragedy and trauma this has caused in the South Asian community, so the process of healing and reconciliation can begin.
RUPINDER KAUR
Press Secretary | Attachée de Presse
Leader of the Official Oppositon | Chef de l'Opposition Officielle
New Democratic Party | Nouveau Parti Démocratique