Canadian PM Justin Trudeau apologises for Komagata Maru incident

Toronto: Almost 102 years after Canada turned away over 376 migrants, mostly Sikhs from India, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has formally apologised in Parliament for the “great injustice” that happened due to discriminatory laws of the time. Trudeau apologised in the House of Commons on Wednesday for 1914 decision by the then Canadian government to turn away 376 Indian migrants onboard the ship Komagata Maru after their arrival in Vancouver.

Standing in the Commons, Trudeau apologised to the descendants of those who were onboard and the broader Sikh community for what he called a “great injustice”. “Mr Speaker, today I rise in this House to offer an apology on behalf of the Government of Canada, for our role in the Komagata Maru incident. More than a century ago a great injustice took place,” Trudeau said.

“Canada was, without question, responsible for the laws that prevented them from immigrating peacefully. For that, and for every regrettable consequence that followed, we are sorry,” PM added.