Raj Singh Toor, vice president of the Descendants of the Komagata Maru Society, told DESIBUZZCanada on Wednesday of Coquitlam’s decision to join in honouring the memory and legacy of the Komagata Maru passengers who endured Canada’s racist laws as their ship was forced out of the Vancouver harbor and many died upon return to India. 

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

SURREY - The City of Port Coquitlam has followed Surrey in declaring May 23rd was Komagata Maru Day.

Raj Singh Toor, vice president of the Descendants of the Komagata Maru Society, told DESIBUZZCanada on Wednesday of Coquitlam’s decision to join in honouring the memory and legacy of the Komagata Maru passengers who endured Canada’s racist laws as their ship was forced out of the Vancouver harbor and many died upon return to India. 

Toor requested the City of Port Coquitlam and it’s Mayor Brad West and Council to Proclaim May 23rd as Komagata Maru Day in the city. Mayor West and Council approved my application and emailed Toor an officially signed Komagata Maru proclamation, which reads: The City Proclaims May 23 as Komagata Maru Day in Port Coquitlam.

“I would like to say thank you to the Mayor and City Council of Port Coquitlam for recognizing the Komagata Maru passengers and proclaiming May 23rd as Komagata Maru Day in the City of Port Coquitlam on behalf a request from the Descendants of the Komagata Maru Society,” Toor said.

“It’s a great tribute to those Komagata maru passengers who suffered a lot during the tragedy.”