TORONTO: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has formally apologised in the parliament for the "great injustice" that happened due to discriminatory laws, in reference to the country turning away pver 376 migrants from India, almost 102 years ago. Apologising in the House of Commons for the 1914 decision of the then Canadian government to turn away the migrants onboard ship 'Komagata Maru' after their arrival in Vancouver, Trudeau said, "Canada's government was, without question, responsible for the laws that prevented these passengers from immigrating peacefully and securely."
The passengers at that time were hoping to challenge Canadian immigration law of that time which refused entry to any Indians who had not arrived in Canada via a continuous journey from the Indian mainland. These people were refused access into the country even though they were British subjects. The ship was turned away after 20 passengers who had previously lived in Canada were allowed to disembark, and eventually sent to Calcutta. At least 19 people were killed in a skirmish with British soldiers and others were jailed.
