Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to seek an apology over the tragic incident of 1914 Komagata Maru.
Welcoming the decision, announced on the eve of Baisakhi during ‘Khalsa Sajna’ celebrations in Ottawa Assembly on Monday, Mr Badal said it was indeed very heartening that the Canadian government has decided to apologise on the floor of Parliament by acknowledging the hurt caused to the community.
He said Akali Dal has been for years pushing for this formal apology in the Canadian Parliament.
Punjab Assembly had in May last year also passed a resolution in this regard.
The Deputy Chief Minister also remembered Baba Gurdit Singh, who had rented the Japanese ship ‘Komagata Maru’ to rescue stranded Punjabis in Hong Kong and brought them to Canada.
He had chartered the ship to challenge the continuous journey regulation and open the door for immigration from British India to Canada during the freedom struggle.
The ship carrying freedom fighters was detained by Canadian government at Vancouver port from May 23 to July 23, 1914 and then forced to return to India.
When the ship reached Budge river port of Calcutta on September 29, 1914, the British government shot dead 19 freedom fighters and put many behind bars. -- PTI
