Komagata Maru
Learn about this pivotal moment in Sikh history.
Komagata Maru: A Historic Stand
The Komagata Maru was a test of Canada's exclusionary immigration laws. In May 1914, 376 people, including 340 Sikhs, 12 Hindus, and 24 Muslims, set sail from the Orient for Vancouver. The journey was an intentional challenge to Canada's "continuous passage" law.
The chartered freighter, originally a coal carrier, was refitted to accommodate the passengers. They were all British citizens and believed they had the right to travel within the British Empire. Their arrival in Vancouver was a planned political statement.
“We are British citizens and we consider we have a right to visit any part of the Empire,” said organizer Gurdit Singh.
“We are determined to make this a test case and if we are refused entrance into your country, the matter will not end here.”
Confronting the "Colour Bar"
On May 23, 1914, the Komagata Maru anchored in English Bay. The Canadian government, alerted to its departure, was determined to prevent them from landing. Local newspapers fueled public fear with headlines like "Hindu Invasion of Canada."
The local Indian community in Canada rallied to support the passengers. They held meetings at Gurdwaras, collecting money and supplies. The entire community united to provide legal support and provisions, preparing to fight the government's opposition.
A Legal Battle for Freedom
For two months, the passengers, the local community, and the Canadian authorities were locked in a tense legal standoff. Ultimately, a Canadian court ruled against the passengers, and on July 23, 1914, only 24 passengers were permitted to stay. On July 23, 1914 the Komagata Maru was forced to leave Vancouver harbour and return to Hong Kong.
The Return to India and a Tragic End
The Komagata Maru reached Calcutta on September 26, 1914, where a European gunboat immediately stopped the ship. The vessel was put under guard, and the passengers were held as prisoners. Instead of being allowed to disembark, the ship was diverted to Budge Budge, seventeen miles away from Calcutta. This sudden change came as a surprise to the passengers, who had already endured two months of legal battles in Canada.
A Peaceful March Turns Violent
Upon inquiry, an official informed organizer Baba Gurdit Singh that a special train would take them to Punjab. Many passengers did not want to go to Punjab, as they had business in Calcutta and wished to find work there. Most importantly, they wanted to place the holy Guru Granth Sahib, which they had carried throughout their journey, in a Calcutta Gurdwara.
The British officials ignored the passengers' wishes. The passengers, however, were determined to go to Calcutta, believing they had the right to control their own destiny on the ship. Feeling they had no other choice, they decided to march to the city.
The Budge Budge Massacre
The passengers' main goal in reaching Calcutta was to hand over the sacred Guru Granth Sahib and meet with the governor. The journey was long, and after facing repeated police threats, they were forced to turn back to Budge Budge. There, they were ordered to reboard the ship. The passengers, led by Baba Gurdit Singh, refused. A policeman attacked Baba Gurdit Singh with a baton, but a fellow passenger intervened. At that moment, firing started.
Baba Gurdit Singh was carried to safety, but many others were not so lucky. Twenty-nine passengers were shot by British officials, and twenty died. This senseless massacre was a tragic end to the journey of the Komagata Maru's passengers.