A memorial to the Komagata Maru ship that tried to land in Vancouver in 1914 but was turned away, will now have a permanent memorial at King George Park.
This is to remind Richmondites of Canada’s historical racist policies and practices.
Raj Singh Toor, vice-president of the Descendants of the Komagata Maru Society, approached Richmond city council more than two years ago, asking them to recognize this history.
On Wednesday morning, the two signs were unveiled with input from the descendants' society as well as the two Sikh temples in Richmond, the Gurdwara Nanak Niwas and the Nanaksar Gurdwara Gursikh Temple.
The first Gurdwara opened in Richmond in 1912, and, at that time, there were many Indians working on Richmond farms and at the Imperial Cannery
Canada, however, closed its doors to immigration from India in 1914, and the Komagata Maru steamship came, challenging that law.
Most of the 376 passengers were eventually sent back, after spending two months on the ship waiting the harbour, often hungry and ill.
Toor’s grandfather, Baba Puran Singh Janetpura, was one of the passengers on the ship.
Toor notes the passengers were British subjects, and their British citizenship should have made them eligible to enter Canada.
When they arrived back in India, they faced persecution from the British, with about 20 killed and many injured. This was one of the motivating factors behind the independence movement in India.
Toor said the signs at King George Park will help educate the community as well as remind them of Canada’s and Richmond’s “diverse makeup.”
“Komagata Maru interpretive sign in Richmond is a great tribute to those passengers who suffered a lot during the tragedy,” Toor said. “We can’t undo the past, but we can move forward and leave a legacy for future generations by educating them about the past.”
