Komagata Maru (ship)

The Komagata Maru was a Japanese steamship that arrived in Vancouver, Canada, in 1914, carrying over 350 Indian immigrants seeking better opportunities. At the time, Canada's immigration policies limited entry for non-Europeans, particularly targeting Indians. Despite lacking the required documentation, the ship was denied permission to dock, and the passengers were stranded at sea for weeks. When they finally attempted to disembark, Canadian authorities forcibly returned most passengers to India, where many faced persecution and hardship. The incident highlighted racial discrimination in Canadian immigration laws and remains a significant moment in South Asian-Canadian history, symbolizing struggles for justice and equality.