Canada apologised for 1914 Komagata Maru Tragedy, says Krishna

New Delhi, Aug. 25 (ANI): The Minister of External Affairs S.M. Krishna on Wednesday said that the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, a province in Canada, unanimously passed a resolution in May 2008 apologizing for Komagata Maru incident of 1914.

He further said that on Aug.3, 2008, Canadian Prime Minister tendered an apology for the Komagata Maru incident of 1914, during the 13th Annual "Ghabri Babiyan Da Mela" festival held in Surrey.

Replying to the questions by members in the Lok Sabha, Krishna today informed the House that: "In 2006, the Canadian Prime Minister referred to the Komagata Maru incident as an important event in Canadian history and one that must be properly recognized, stating, "Government of Canada acknowledges the Komagata Maru incident and we will soon undertake consultations with the Indo-American community on how best to recognize this sad moment in our history."

Stating further, Krishna said: "The Canadian Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenny announced, in May 2008, that the Canadian Government was taking steps to acknowledge and commemorate the tragedy. He announced that the Indo-Canadian community would be able to apply for up to Canadian $ 2.5 million in grants and contributions funding to commemorate the Komagata Maru incident."

"On August 3, 2008 the Canadian Prime Minister, at the 13th Annual "Ghabri Babiyan Da Mela" festival in Surrey, British Columbia province, issued an apology for the Komagata Maru incident stating, in response to the House of Commons motion calling for an apology by the Government, "On behalf of the Government of Canada, I am officially conveying, as Prime Minister, that apology".

On May 23, 2008 the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (a province in Canada) unanimously passed a resolution apologizing for Komagata Maru incident of 1914.

Krishna informed that the text of that resolution read: "Be it resolved that this Legislature apologizes for the events of May 23, 1914, when 376 passengers of the Komagata Maru, stationed off the Vancouver harbour, were denied entry by Canada. The House deeply regrets that the passengers who sought refuge in our country and our province were turned away without benefit of the fair and impartial treatment befitting a society where people of all cultures are welcomed and accepted."

Under the leadership of Premier Gordon Campbell, the province of British Columbia is the first province in Canada to issue an apology for the Komagata Maru events of May 23, 1914 on the 75th anniversary of that May date, the city of Vancouver under his Worship Mayor Gordon Campbell, was the first city in Canada to place a plaque in remembrance of those that were wronged. (ANI)