Background: On May 23, 1914, the Komagata Maru reached Vancouver’s harbour via Hong Kong and Japan carrying 376 prospective South Asian immigrants who hoped to settle in Canada. Their arrival provoked massive opposition from the local population led to force the ship’s return to India.
In response to this backlash, the local South Asian community came together to fight the deportation of the passengers. But the community was unsuccessful and the vast majority of the passengers were forced to leave.
Reason: In the years prior to the Komagata Maru’s arrival, the Canadian government placed limitations on South Asian immigration through racially restrictive policies.
