Why hello there! Say, are you in the mood for a story? I hope so, because I’ve got a tale to tell. A tale of struggle, sorrow, and despair. So gather around for the legend of a ship that defied the injustice of it’s time to help people achieve a better life. Gather around for the unfortunate tragedy that befell this proud vessel. Gather around for the legacy of the Komagata Maru.
Image source: http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/major-immigration-events-in-canada-c9ca4195-9de8-430c-a09b-546be55b0654
Now, I’m sure you’re all wondering: what is the Komagata Maru? Well, to know that you must first know it’s origins. Built Originally in 1890 by Charles Connell and company in Scotland, it was first sold to the Hansa line under the name of SS Stubbenhuk. Next it fell under the ownership of the Hamburg America line in 1984, and it’s name was changed to the SS Sicilia. Following that, it was purchased by Shiyen Kisen Goshi Kaisha company of Japan in 1913 and took the name of Komagata Maru, and this, dear reader, is where our story begins.
Image source: http://www.sikh24.com/2017/09/19/book-revealing-true-facts-about-komagatamaru-released-in-canada/
At this period in history racism ran rampant throughout many parts of the world. Canada was no exception to that fact, and the west coast province of British Columbia had, at the time, enacted several laws created to prevent people from Asia coming to Canada. They were trying to create what they called a “White Canada”. In other words, they wished for the entire population of Asians, Blacks, Indigenous peoples, et cetera to either leave the country or die off. However, within their exclusion laws they faced some challenges. When it came to countries like China the government could simply say “No Chinese immigrants allowed”, but the people of India were, like them, citizens of the British empire. Due to this fact, they had, in theory, equal rights when compared to people in other parts of the empire. In practice, they were still subject to great levels of Racism, but despite this fact, the Canadian government could not outright say “No Indians allowed”. Of course, they came up with other ways to fulfill their xenophobic goals.
Image source: http://www.pier21.ca/research/immigration-history/continuous-journey-regulation-1908
In 1914, the Komagata Maru was hired by a man named Gurdhit Singh Sanghu to defy Canada’s immigration restrictions, and bring people from India to Canada. It departed from Hong Kong and made some stops in China, Japan, Singapore, and a few other places as well, picking up more people as they went. It took them weeks to make it to Vancouver, the biggest city in British Columbia, and one of the biggest cities in Canada, however, upon arrival they were not allowed to dock. They were then told by the immigration officers that in coming to Canada they had violated the “continuous journey act”, an act that made it illegal to enter Canada unless unless the ship had made a nonstop journey from it’s country of origin to it’s destination. Now, at the time, a journey from India to Canada without making a single stop was impossible, and in fact, that was the entire point of the creation of this law. The passengers had no idea that this was the case, and, understandably, found it outrageous that they had to deal with such inequities, yet their troubles were only just beginning.
Image source: http://canadafirst.nfshost.com/our_heritage-hopkinson-index.html
See, while travelling on this boat, the passengers had expected to be welcomed into the country. Perhaps not a warm welcome, but a welcome nonetheless. As such, they had only brought with them enough food and water to last for the journey. The Canadian government was fully aware of this, and elected to simply wait them, while encouraging attacks on the ship by the civilian population. There were groups that fought for them then, of course. These groups still fight for them now, because, after all, human nature doesn’t change, people just learn. Even then, it’s often their children that learn, not them. To this day, too many would wish that no apology was ever given, because some believe what happened was right. Especially true back then, as the ship was subjected to attack after attack, until the Canadian government took drastic measures, they brought in a battleship. Cruel, is it not? That they would bring in a machine of war and death to rid themselves of peaceful civilians. It’s things like this that need to be remembered, because hearing that someone was exceptionally cruel is one thing, but to hear the true extent of their hatred through a tragic event, that is something else entirely. Left with no other option, the frightened passengers returned to India, where they found a surprise in the form of British soldiers waiting for them on arrival. 19 innocent lives were taken, many more imprisoned, and all had their hopes and dreams crushed.
Image source: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/alltheworldsbattlecruisers/warship-projects-blog-post-part-2-of-cherry-trees–t8804.html
94 years later, at the 13th annual Mela Gadri Babian Da festival in Surrey, BC, then Prime minister Stephen Harper, known for giving several apologies on behalf of the Canadian government, repeated history by stating some brief remarks of regret for the Komagata Maru incident. Despite this, an apology is a more important thing than he gave it credit for, and the fact that his apology was given not at the federal House of Commons, but a public park in one of the most crime-filled areas in Canada, it was, understandably, inadequate for the atrocity that had been committed. The Sikh community ran onto the stage denouncing the pathetic apology for these reasons, yet nothing else was said on the matter by the government for 8 years, until current prime minister Justin Trudeau gave yet another official apology for the crimes against the passengers of the Komagata Maru. While the government’s work was far from over, it was finally a step in the right direction. The people could at last take comfort in the fact that Canada was finally taking responsibility for it’s actions. Finally, the road to recovery was being traversed.
In conclusion. The Komagata Maru incident was a horrible instance that allows us to peer into the systemic racism of the time. While we are still working on making amends, I believe we can one day make up for all we have done. Now, on a lighter note…
*Brofist*