Komagata Maru: A Challenge to Colonialism Key Documents

Rioting in Calcutta: A Bengal government press communique, wired to us on Wednesday, gives official account of serious rioting at Calcutta which occurred on Saturday last but of which the Calcutta exchanges to hand make no mention. From the communique it appears that the passengers of the Komagata Maru landed at Budge-budge on the Houghli on Saturday evening. The Bengal Government had, in concurrence with the Punjab Government, arranged for their being taken to the Punjab direct at Government expense and a train was provided. The men were unwilling to board the train, although they were informed by a magistrate that under Ordinance V of 1914 he had the power to compel them to follow his instructions. The men, however, started on the road to Calcutta. Police and Military were requisitioned the men were stopped at a distance of three or four miles when Sir William Duke arrived and taxed their leader with breach of the Ordinance directing them to return to Budge-Budge. The men obeyed and returned to Budge-Budge. One special train started with sixty men and another was being got ready when Mr. Donald called for the leader to explain the position. The men then suddenly got excited, and revolvers were fired at the officers and police, one railway officer being killed and the Commissioner of Police and several policemen being injured. The revolver fire was returned by four of the police sergeants, resulting in the death of 16 of the men and 2 innocent spectators. The Bengal Government deeply deplore the loss of life which has occurred and this regret will be shared by all, and fuller particulars of the regrettable occurrence will be awaited.