Komagata Maru adventure

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 instanceJapan 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.

. Shyamji Krishna Varma

Shyamji Krishna Varma was closely associated with India

House, which was a very active hub for the nationalist
movement in London.