The Importance of Remembering in Relation: Juxtaposing the Air India and Komagata Maru Disasters

In 1914, a ship named the Komagata Maru arrived off the coast of British Columbia carrying 376 would-be immigrants, mostly Sikh men from India desiring to settle permanently in the burgeoning colony of Canada. A public sentiment of concern about “Hindoo Invaders” and a discriminatory immigration policy caused the ship to be anchored for two months in the Vancouver harbour, during which time passengers were occasionally denied food and water. …