How the Sikh migration to Canada began

How the Sikh migration to Canada began

Subject :History

Section: Modern India

Context: Khalistan Movement has taken momentum in Canada after the death of KTF leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar that impacted India-Canada Diplomatic Relations.

History of Sikh Migration to Canada:

• Arrival of Sikhs in Canada (1897):
  • Sikhs’ migration to Canada began with Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897.
  • Kesur Singh, a Risaldar Major in the British India Army, is considered the first Sikh settler who arrived in Vancouver as part of the Hong Kong Regiment, a group of Sikh soldiers.
• First Wave of Sikh Migration (Early 1900s):
  • The initial Sikh migration to Canada occurred in the early 1900s.
  • Many Sikh migrants came to Canada as laborers, working in industries such as logging in British Columbia and manufacturing in Ontario.
  • These early immigrants were often sojourners, intending to work temporarily in Canada and send their savings back to their home countries.
• Challenges and Hostility:
  • Sikh migrants faced numerous challenges and hostilities.
  • Locals perceived them as taking away jobs from the local population, leading to resentment.
  • Sikhs also encountered racial and cultural prejudices as their numbers increased in the country.
  • The situation worsened as more Sikh migrants arrived in Canada.
• Canadian Government Regulations (Post-1908):
  • Due to mounting public pressure and concerns about immigration, the Canadian government introduced strict regulations to limit Sikh migration.
  • These regulations included requirements such as possessing a specific sum of money and arriving in Canada through a continuous journey from their home country.
  • The goal was to discourage further Sikh immigration.
• Decline in Immigration (After 1908):
  • Immigration from India into Canada experienced a significant decline after 1908.
  • The number of Sikh immigrants went from 2,500 during 1907-08 to only a few dozen per year.
  • The stringent regulations effectively limited the influx of Sikh migrants.
• The Komagata Maru Incident (1914):
  • In 1914, a significant incident known as the Komagata Maru incident took place in Vancouver.
  • The Komagata Maru was a Japanese steamship carrying 376 South Asian passengers, including a majority of Sikhs.
  • Upon arrival in Canada, the immigrants were detained onboard the ship for about two months.
  • Canadian authorities eventually forced the ship out of Canadian waters, sending it back to Asia.
• Tragic Consequences in India:
  • When the Komagata Maru arrived in India, an altercation between British authorities and passengers ensued.
  • British officials suspected the passengers of being revolutionaries, which led to confrontations.
  • Tragically, the altercation resulted in casualties, with 22 people dead, including 16 passengers.
• Relaxation of Immigration Policy (Post-WWII):
  • After World War II, Canada’s immigration policy began to relax, driven by several factors.
  • Canada found it increasingly challenging to uphold an immigration policy based on racial preferences after joining the United Nations and committing to anti-racial discrimination principles.
  • The country’s growing economy required laborers, leading to a demand for immigrant workers.
  • Additionally, there was a decline in European immigration, prompting Canada to seek human capital from third-world countries.
• Introduction of the ‘Points System’ (1967):
  • In 1967, the Canadian government introduced the ‘points system’ as a new criteria for admission.
  • This system emphasized skills as the primary criteria for admitting non-dependent relatives, effectively eliminating racial preferences in immigration.