Today: 10 October 2025
5 February 2023
2 mins read

Canada renames portion of road to Komagata Maru Way

The development comes as the historic Komagata Maru Memorial in Vancouver was vandalised earlier this month for the third time in a row between 2021 and 2023….reports Asian Lite News

A portion of a road in Abbotsford, British Columbia, will be named Komagata Maru Way in the memory of 376 Indians who sailed to Canada from India in 1914, but were turned away by the country.

Abbotsford City Council voted unanimously last week to rename a portion of South Fraser Way – which extends from Ware Street to Fairlane Street – to Komagata Maru Way, the Surrey-Now Leader reported.

The decision comes after descendants of those trapped aboard the Komagata Maru ship in Vancouver, asked the council to commemorate the humanitarian role played by Abbotsford’s South Asian community at the time.

The project will cost $4,000 for the renaming. The council has also voted to fund a plaque at the Abbotsford Sikh temple at a cost of $10,000, and educational kits to inform future generations about the Komagata Maru incident.

“The gesture shows a commitment to promoting and understanding inclusiveness, and belonging to all residents regardless of their cultural background. It sends a strong message to our future generations that we must look … to make sure we have a just society for everybody,” Councillor Dave Sidhu told Surrey-Now Leader.

The Sikh residents of Abbotsford rallied together to assist passengers aboard the Komagata Maru… They provided food, housing, information, and community connection,” a committee that was created in 2021 to study the incident, said in its findings.

“This Abbotsford connection to the plight of the Komagata Maru passengers is not well-known locally, and should be recognised as an important point of community pride,” the report, which was submitted before the council, said.

The 376 Indians, including Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus, who sailed to Canada from India in 1914, were mostly from Punjab.

They were kept from docking for several months in dire conditions, and eventually forced to return to India. They reached Budge Budge near Kolkata on September 23, 1914.

“There (Vancouver) the majority of the passengers were imprisoned, and 20 were killed by gunfire when the ship was fired upon,” the report told the council.

The development comes as the historic Komagata Maru Memorial in Vancouver was vandalised earlier this month for the third time in a row between 2021 and 2023.

ALSO READ: Canada to send 4 battle tanks to Ukraine

Previous Story

Bring back old regime of NRIs’ stay in India: Narayana Murthy

Next Story

UAE participates in first G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group meeting

Latest from -Top News

Trump eyes Egypt trip

Trump eyes Egypt trip for Gaza ceasefire signing as deal paves way for hostage release…reports Asian Lite News President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he intends to travel to Egypt for

200 US troops to monitor Gaza ceasefire deal

The US coordination center will be staffed by service members who have expertise in transportation, planning, security, logistics and engineering…reports Asian Lite News The United States is sending about 200 troops to

Federal bodies align for inclusive growth

The UAE Gender Balance Council reviews strategic initiatives across federal entities, strengthening policies, advancing inclusion, and reinforcing the nation’s leadership in equality, diversity, and sustainable development….reports Asian Lite News The UAE Gender

SIBF to host 2,350 exhibitors Nov 5-16

The 44th Sharjah International Book Fair unites publishers, authors, and intellectuals from 118 countries, celebrating literature, workshops, cultural exchange, and Greece as Guest of Honour….reports Asian Lite News The 44th Sharjah International

Racing meets AI in high-octane partnership

Aligned Automation partners with Ferrari driver Diana Pundole, applying AI-driven analytics to optimise racing performance while demonstrating enterprise-grade intelligence and innovation on the track….reports Asian Lite News Aligned Automation, a global AI-driven
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Canada Evacuates Diplomats and Dependents from India

Joly also announced that India’s move to declare persona non

Modi congratulates Trudeau on his election victory

Trudeau, in power since 2015, has won three general elections