In a solemn and historically reflective ceremony, the Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha, the apex representative body of Singh Sabha Gurdwaras, commemorated the 111th anniversary of the Komagata Maru episode by observing it as Guru Nanak Jahaz Remembrance Day. A special lecture and public gathering were held at the Singh Sabha Complex, marking this pivotal moment in history that resonates deeply with the Punjabi and broader South Asian diaspora.
The event recalled the voyage of the Japanese steamship Komagata Maru, which arrived at Vancouver’s Burrard Inlet on July 23, 1914, carrying 377 passengers from British India. Among them were 31 Sikhs, 24 Muslims, and 12 Hindus — all British subjects. Despite fulfilling the legal requirements for immigration, the passengers were denied entry under Canada’s discriminatory immigration laws of the time, driven by policies aimed at excluding non-European migrants. The passengers were confined to the ship for nearly two months, denied basic rights, and ultimately forced to return to India.
Delivering the keynote address, eminent academician and historian Dr. Gurdev Singh Sidhu highlighted that the Komagata Maru was not merely a vessel but a symbol of resistance. Chartered by Baba Gurdit Singh, a determined freedom fighter and entrepreneur, the ship was operated under the Guru Nanak Jahaz Steamship Company. Renaming the vessel Guru Nanak Jahaz was a purposeful act, symbolizing a mission with cultural, political, and spiritual significance. “This was a declaration that those aboard the ship were asserting their right to travel freely as subjects of the British Empire, and challenging the rising tide of racial discrimination,” said Dr. Sidhu.
Dr. Sidhu also emphasized the international solidarity shown during the Komagata Maru standoff. Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, and even Indigenous communities in Canada came together to support the stranded passengers. Despite enduring severe hardships aboard the ship, their courage laid the foundation for a broader movement for justice, civil rights, and dignity for the South Asian community in Canada.
Efforts to appeal the exclusion through British Columbia’s highest courts were led by Baba Gurdit Singh, supported by legal counsel and community advocates. However, the colonial legal system upheld the exclusionary laws, and the vessel was compelled to return to British India. Upon arrival at Budge Budge port near Kolkata, a tragic confrontation occurred. Nineteen passengers were shot and killed by British colonial forces, and many more were injured or imprisoned, highlighting the brutality of the imperial response to peaceful assertion of civil rights.
During the gathering, speakers including Sham Singh (President), Rajwinder Singh Rahi, Jaspal Singh Sidhu, Hamir Singh, Major Harmohinder Singh, Harbans Singh Sodhi, Pritam Singh Rupal, Dayaa Singh (Delhi), and Dr. Khushhal Singh, reaffirmed the need to preserve the memory of this historic resistance. The congregation unanimously adopted a resolution calling upon the Indian government to declare July 23 as a “Historical Remembrance Day” and officially recognize the Komagata Maru as the Guru Nanak Jahaz in honor of its legacy.
The event served not only as a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those aboard the ship but also as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against racial injustice. As the speakers noted, remembering Komagata Maru is vital to understanding the historical roots of the South Asian diaspora’s contribution to civil liberties, global migration rights, and decolonization movements.
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