Sheetal Prasad

The Incident

The piece comprises a bronze plaque of a relief of the ship. The AR video showcases information about the Komagata Maru incident using text, archival imagery and sound effects.

“In the summer of 1914, the Komagata Maru ship sailed continuously from Hong Kong and India to Coal Harbour, British Columbia, carrying 375 Indian passengers hoping to settle into Canada. All but 7 passengers were denied entry due to racist and strict immigration policies (a head tax fee of $200 and Anti-Asian protests and laws). The rest were deported back to Budge Budge, India where more than 20 passengers were either injured or killed by British Indian authorities for resisting. This became known as the Komagata Maru Incident and the Budge Budge Riot. This bronze plaque commemorates this incident.”