Chandigarh, July 23 -- Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has urged the central government, the Punjab Government, and Sikh institutions across the country to officially recognize July 23 as 'Guru Nanak Ship Memorial Day', commemorating the 111th anniversary of the forced return of the Guru Nanak Ship from Canada in 1914.
In his statement, Jathedar Gargaj recalled how on July 23, 1914, 377 Indian passengers primarily Sikhs led by Baba Gurdit Singh were denied entry into Canada and forcibly deported. He called it a historic injustice and a blatant violation of human rights.
He clarified that the ship was not named Komagata Maru, as is often cited, but had been leased by Guru Nanak Steamship Company and was renamed "Gu...