Following the hard work of Raj Singh Toor of the Komagata Maru Descendants Society and city councilor Chinu Das, New Westminster has unveiled an interpretive sign Plaque at it’s Ferry Docks. The unveiling ceremony was attended by Toor and Mayor Jonathan X. Coté Unveiling, councilor Chinu Das and Rahul Negi Consul First Secretary, Consulate General of India on Tuesday, October 4.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

NEW WESTMINSTER – Following the hard work of Raj Singh Toor of the Komagata Maru Descendants Society and city councilor Chinu Das, New Westminster has unveiled an interpretive sign Plaque at it’s Ferry Docks.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by Toor and Mayor Jonathan X. Coté Unveiling, councilor Chinu Das and Rahul Negi Consul First Secretary, Consulate General of India on Tuesday, October 4.

About 2000 South Asian families lived in BC in 1914, and many of these families lived in New Westminster. The local community helped the stranded passengers of the Komagata Maru by giving them food, water, and medication. There was even an attempt by the community to try to lease the ship in an attempt to keep it from being sent back.   

On October 2019, councilor Das brought forward the Komagata Maru recognition motion. Toor also spoke for the motion, sharing my grandfather’s and the other Komagata Maru passengers’ painful story. He requested that the Council name a park, street or other civic asset in memory of the Komagata Maru passengers.

 The council then passed unanimously a motion “THAT staff report on the connection of New Westminster to the Komagata Maru incident. In particular, the report should provide documentation of the support the New Westminster South Asian community provided to the passengers of the Komagata Maru.” The mover of the motion, councilor Das, advised that the verification of this history could lead to the naming of a city asset after the Komagata Maru.    

On the March 1, 2021, the City of New Westminster received the report, prepared by New Westminster Manager of Museums and Heritage Services, Robert McCullough. This report recommends the naming of the QtoQ Ferry docks in Queensborough and Downtown in commemoration of the Komagata Maru. This report also provides Council with contextual information surrounding City connections to this history and recommends that interpretation of the Komagata Maru history accompany the naming of these civic assets.   

After Toor’s speech, The City of New Westminster Council passed the report unanimously, with an amendment to also name a walkway near the dock in commemoration of the Komagata Maru.  

“On behalf of the Descendents of the Komagata Maru Society, I would like to say thank you to Respected Mayor Jonathan X. Coté and Councillor Chinu Das, all the other councillors, Robert McCullough, and the rest of the city staff for recognizing the Komagata Maru passengers and for their work in making this recognition of the Komagata Maru a reality,” Toor said.  

“It’s a great tribute to those passengers who experienced extreme hardship and suffering throughout the entire ordeal.We are extremely happy and thankful to be part of this very important change.   

“Komagata Maru Ferry Docks , Komagata Maru Trail and Komagata Maru interpretive Sign will help educate the community and remind us of how unique Canada’s and New Westminster a diverse makeup is. We are all richer when we remember how special it is to have so many different ethnic communities living together. I hope that it will help to connect Canadians , British Columbians and New Westminster residents with their past to build a more peaceful and tolerant tomorrow. We can’t undo the past but we can move forward and leave a legacy for future generations by educating them about the past. I am glad to be a part of making this happen.”