Ontario: A road in Abbotsford, British Columbia province of Canada, will be renamed the Komagatamaru Road. This will be done in memory of the 376 Indians who arrived in Canada from India by sea in 1914 but were not allowed to enter due to the racial policies of the time.

The Abbotsford Municipal Council last week unanimously decided to rename South Fraser Marg as Komagatamaru Marg, local newspaper Surrey-Now Leader reported.

On April 4, 1914, a Japanese ship ‘Komagatamaru’ carrying 376 Indian passengers arrived off the coast of British Columbia from Hong Kong. These Indian passengers included 340 Sikhs, 24 Muslims and 12 Hindus. These passengers were in search of an employment and economic security.

When the ship reached the coast of British Columbia, these aspirant migrants were not allowed to enter it and were forced to return to Budge-Budge Ghat in Kolkata.

When they reached Kolkata, the Indian Imperial Police tried to arrest them. Violence broke out there, following which the police opened fire and 22 people were killed in the firing.

According to the report, the heirs of those who arrived in Canada in 1914 on board the Komagata Maru had appealed to the previous council to remember the role played by the South Asian community of Abbotsford to humanity at that time.

The decision was subsequently taken by the council. “This will send a strong message to our next generations that we all should strive to ensure that our society is for everyone.”

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