The first statement regarding the first anniversary of the Komagata Maru accident

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Ottawa, May 23, 2021 /CNW/-Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, Today issued the following statement on the anniversary of the Komagata Maru accident:

“More than a century ago, the Komagata Maru steamer arrived Vancouver Burrard entrance. There were 376 Sikhs, Muslims and South Asian Hindus on board.Like many people before and after, they came Canada Hope there is a better future.

“But Komagata Maru has been sitting at the port for two months. Immigration officials enforced discriminatory laws at the time and prevented most passengers from entering the country.

“Only very few passengers will set foot on Canadian soil. The rest are confined to ships, sometimes without food or water for a few days. Local communities in South Asia tried to protest the federal government’s decision, but to no avail. July 23, 1914, Everyone still on the Komagata Maru was forced to return India, Some of them were killed and many others were imprisoned.

“The shame and pain caused by this incident are part of our past and will always be. Five years ago, I stood in the House of Commons and apologized on behalf of the Japanese government. Canada Dedicated to all those affected by the Komagata Maru accident. What happened more than a century ago is still important today. Whether we choose to learn from the mistakes of the past and ensure that we do not repeat the same mistakes is up to all of us.

“We remember the victims of the Komagata Maru tragedy and their descendants, and I invite all Canadians to reflect on many contributions Canadian The South Asian community has and will continue to make our country. Diversity and inclusiveness are our greatest strengths, as well as the cornerstones of a better, fairer, and more prosperous society. ”

The document is also available from the following URL: https://pm.gc.ca/

SOURCE Prime Minister’s Office

Cut open View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2021/23/c2403.html

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