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Justin Trudeau formally apologizes for Komagata Maru incident

WATCH: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rose in the House of Commons today to formally apologize for the shameful Komagata Maru incident. Randene Neill reports – May 18, 2016

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau formally apologized in the House of Commons for a 1914 government decision that barred most of the passengers of the Komagata Maru from entering Canada.

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The chartered vessel was carrying 376 Indian passengers, nearly all of them Sikhs, bound for what they thought would be a new life in Canada.

They were hoping to challenge the immigration laws at the time which refused entry to any Indians who had not arrived in Canada via a continuous journey from the home country _ nearly impossible at the time.

WATCH: ‘We are better for remembering both the good and the bad’: Christy Clark on Komagata Maru apology

Canadian officials refused to allow the Indians in, even though they were British subjects just like every other Canadian of the time.

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After 20 passengers who had previously lived in Canada were allowed to disembark, the ship was turned away.

It returned to India, where 19 of the passengers were killed in a skirmish with British authorities and dozens of others were imprisoned or forced into hiding.

WATCH: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s full Komagata Maru apology in the House of Commons

“Mr. Speaker, today I rise in this House to offer an apology on behalf of the government of Canada, for our role in the Komagata Maru incident,” Trudeau said.

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“Canada cannot solely be blamed for every tragic mistake that occurred with the Komagata Maru and its passengers.

“But Canada’s government was, without question, responsible for the laws that prevented these passengers from immigrating peacefully and securely. For that, and for every regrettable consequence that followed, we are sorry.”

WATCH: Two men with a deep connection to the story of the Komagata Maru, speak with Global News ahead of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s historic apology

Trudeau’s formal apology is the second from a Canadian prime minister. Former prime minister Stephen Harper delivered an apology in 2008 in British Columbia, not the House of Commons.

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Some Indian-Canadians saw Harper’s move as a slight.

WATCH: A non-descript federal building in Vancouver is actually named after Harry Stevens, one of the men responsible for turning away the Komagata Maru. Squire Barnes explains.

Trudeau promised the Commons apology during the last election campaign.

The B.C. legislature passed its own resolution apologizing in May 2008.

-With files from Yuliya Talmazan

From the archives:  Watch Global BC’s in-depth original feature on the history of the Komagata Maru 
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