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Canadian Sikhs want Komagata chapter in school curriculum

 
Toronto, May 19, 2016 Even as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologised to the Sikh community in the House of Commons in Ottawa for the 1914 Komagata incident, Canadian Sikhs have demanded that the episode should be made part of school curricula across the country.

The Komagata Maru was a Japanese ship that was hired by Malaysia-based rich Sikh Baba Gurdit Singh to bring 376 Indians, mostly Sikhs, to Canada to challenge the racist laws of the time in 1914.

Since both India and Canada were British dominions at that time, the Indians should have had the right to enter Canada. But the Canadian government of that time put in place various clauses in laws to bar Indians from entering Canada.

The Komagata Maru, which entered Vancouver harbour on May 23, 1914, was forcibly sent back to India after two months. On reaching Budge Budge in Calcutta in September 1914, the passengers were subjected to firing by British Indian police in which 19 of them were killed.

In his apology in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Trudeau said: "Canada's government was, without question, responsible for the laws that prevented these passengers from immigrating peacefully and securely. For that, and for every regrettable consequence that followed, we are sorry."

"Today -- while knowing that no words can fully erase the pain and suffering experienced by the passengers -- I offer a sincere apology on behalf of the government for the laws in force at the time that allowed Canada to be indifferent to the plight of the passengers of the Komagata Maru."

The Canadian prime minister said, "The Komagata Maru incident is a stain on Canada's past. But the history of our country is one in which we constantly challenge ourselves, and each other, to extend our personal definitions of who is a Canadian. We have learned, and will continue to learn, from the mistakes of our past. We must make sure to never repeat them."

Welcoming the apology, advocacy group World Sikh Organization demanded that a Komagata chapter be included in school curricula across Canada.

World Sikh Organization president Mukhbir Singh said: "Prime Minster Trudeau's apology in the House of Commons today is a historic moment for Canadian Sikhs and recognizes the dark chapter the Komagata Maru tragedy marks in Canada's history. While Canada is today a model of multiculturalism and inclusivity, it is important for us to understand that it was not always so."

"We believe it is essential that the Komagata Maru incident, as well as the anti-immigrant sentiment that fuelled this incident, be made a part of our provincial education curricula. It is important that we as Canadians teach our youngsters to confront issues such as racism and xenophobia and learning about the Komagata Maru incident is an excellent opportunity to do so."  By Gurmukh Singh// IANS
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Mr. Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister offer a full apology to deny entry of Sikhs in 1914 (Komagata Maru incident)

Toronto, April 12, 2016
NRIpress.club/Dr. Tej Sharma

Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister – the son of former late prime minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau,  announced and offered a full apology for a government decision in 1914 to deny entry of Sikhs in the country.

In  1914, the Komagata Maru, a steamship, reached Vancouver in Canada with 376 Indians  including 340 Sikhs, 24 Muslims, and 12 Hindus passengers. Of 376, only 24 were allowed to enter Canada, while 352 others were turned away and forced to return to India. When the ship returned to Calcutta, it was stopped by the British who considered the passengers as law-breakers and dangerous political agitators. The British tried to arrest 20 people whom they considered as ring leaders, and a riot broke out in which 19 passengers were killed.

Justin Trudeau made a pre-election commitment to the NRI community that he would make a formal apology for the Komagata Maru incident in the House of Commons within the first 90 days of a Liberal Government.
A Vaisakhi on Parliament Hill- The celebration  began on Saturday April 9th 2016 with the non-stop, continuous recital of the Guru Granth Sahib from beginning to end in Centre Block. The Akhand paath concluded Monday morning followed by Kirtan, and langar served by MPs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau .

Anju Dhilon, MP, NRI 2nd Generation, who was born and raised in the riding of Dorval–Lachine–LaSalle, where she currently lives and works as a lawyer, spoke in Punjabi, English and French about the sikhism and thanks Mr. Justin Trudeau behalf of NRI Community and Sikhs.

Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister said:  “As a nation, we should never forget the prejudice suffered by the Sikh community at the hands of the Canadian government of the day and we should not – and we will not.”

"An apology made in the House of Commons will not erase the pain and suffering of those who lived through that shameful experience.  But an apology is not only the appropriate action to take, it’s the right action to take, and the House is the appropriate place for it to happen.” said Trudeau.

Canadian Prime Minister  added,  "Next month, on May 18, I will stand in the House of Commons and offer a full apology for turning away the South Asian passengers on the ship Komagata Maru in 1914 because of racism which was rejected by the Canadian government."

  • In March of 2001, Canadian Alliance MP Gurmant Grewal told the Liberal government that there was a long-standing demand for an apology from the Canadian government for turning away the passengers on the ship Komagata Maru in 1914
  • In 2002, Sahib Thind started a signing campaign to demand an apology for the Komagata Maru incident and that those attending that year’s Mela Gadri Babian Da in Surrey
  • In 2006, Professor Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation of Canada held a solemn ceremony in Stanley Park to mark the 92nd anniversary of the arrival of the Komagata Maru.  More than 500 people attended this ceremony including  business owners, community leaders,  Member of  Parliaments and MLAs
  • In 2006, Nina Grewal, ex-Member of Parliament brought Stephen Harper  to the Mela Gadri Babian Da in Surrey and announced that “the government of Canada acknowledges the Komagata Maru incident."
  • In 2007, Ruby Dhalla, ex- Liberal MP told press," Liberal Leader Stephane Dion committed a future Liberal government to an official apology for the Komagata Maru incident."
  • In 2008, BC provincial NDP issued a formal apology for the Komagata Maru incident.
  • In 2008, Harper delivered an apology at the Mela Gadri Babian Da in Surrey.

 

 

 


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