Context:
The Komagata Maru incident of 1914 is being revisited as a symbol of racial discrimination under colonial rule. The ship carrying Indian migrants was denied entry into Canada, highlighting exclusionary immigration policies and imperial injustice.
- In 1914, the Japanese ship Komagata Maru, chartered by Gurdit Singh, carried 376 passengers (mostly Sikhs from Punjab) from Hong Kong to Canada.
- Canada enforced the “Continuous Journey Regulation” (1908), requiring migrants to arrive directly from their country of origin – effectively targeting Indians.
- The ship was denied docking at Vancouver and remained stranded for about 2 months, facing shortages of food and water.
- The incident exposed racial discrimination and exclusionary immigration laws in British dominions despite Indians being British subjects.
- The passengers were forced to return to India; upon arrival at Budge Budge (Calcutta), British authorities attempted to arrest leaders.
- This led to a clash in which around 20 passengers were killed, many arrested.
- The episode became a rallying point for the Ghadar Movement, which aimed to overthrow British rule in India.
- It highlighted contradictions of colonial citizenship, equality before law, and imperialism.
- The incident strengthened anti-colonial nationalism and revolutionary activities among overseas Indians.
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