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Conservatives Continue to Insult Indo-Canadians by remaining silent on official apology for Komagata Maru Injustice
Brampton, Ontario, Feb. 26, 2010
- The Conservative Government continues to insult Indo-Canadians by refusing to apologize for the Komagata Maru injustice in Canada's Parliament.
Many Canadians waited for an official apology for the Komagata Maru injustice in the House of Commons after the successful passing of a historic Private Member’s Motion on May 15, 2008 by Brampton-Springdale MP Dr. Ruby Dhalla. The Private Member’s Motion M469, asked the Government to apologize for the 1914 Komagata Maru tragedy. However many Indo-Canadians were shocked when Prime Minister Stephen Harper chose to make the apology while speaking to a crowd at a cultural event in Surrey B.C.
To add insult to injury, a press conference was held today in Brampton-Springdale regarding the Komagata Maru injustice and once again the outcry from the Indo-Canadian community to make an official apology in the House of Commons was ignored. In addition, the funding announced by passed many grassroots local community organizations seeking funding.
“It is unfortunate that the Conservative government has chosen to ignore the plea of the Indo-Canadian community for an official apology in Canada's Parliament. The Komagata Maru injustice will forever serve as a reminder of the struggles and challenges that so many immigrants have encountered in their hope for a better future in Canada” said Dr. Dhalla
In September 2009, Dr. Dhalla put forth another motion in the House of Commons requesting the Conservative Government to officially designate May 23rd as a day of commemoration for the Komagata Maru injustice and to provide an official apology in the House of Commons for the 1914 Komagata Maru injustice. Dr. Dhalla looks forward to having the support of her colleagues in having this Private Member’s Motion passed.
“An apology should be made in the House of Commons in a manner that is respectful and dignified. Anything less is an insult to the Indo-Canadian community and to the families impacted by the Komagata Maru injustice. As a nation that champions human rights, democracy and freedom, this motion is an opportunity for all parliamentarians to put partisan politics aside and support the request for an official apology” said Dr. Dhalla.
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