From The Back Cover Of 'Komagata Maru , A Challenge To Colonialism Key Documents' By Prof. Malwinderjit Singh Waraich & Dr. Gurdev Singh sidhu

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 Mani landed at Budge-Budge on the Houghli on Saturday evening. The Bengal Government had in ocurrence 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 fol low 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 tired at the officers and police one railway officer being killed and the Commissioner of Police and several policemen being injured. The revolver fire as 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.

About The Authors Of 'Komagata Maru , A Challenge To Colonialism Key Documents'

Malwinderjit Singh Waraich, born in 1929 at Village Ladhewala Waraich. Dist. Gujranwala, is a Post-graduate in History, Political Science. Economics, Sociology, English and a Law -Graduate. Retired as a Senior Lecturer from Guru Nank Engineering College, Ludhiana is now practicing Criminal law in High Court at Chandigarh. He is a co-author of war Against King Emperor-Ghadr cf 1914-15. based on two Jdgements concerning Ghadrites and Tryst with Martyrdom- Trial of Madan Lal Dhingra. Also he has edited autobiographies of six leading Ghadrites and is conducting research in the related fields. 

Dr. Gurdev Singh Sidhu, born m 1941 at Village Khai Distt. Moga. retired from Punjab Education Department (College Cadre) after about 35 years service as a Lecturer. Principal. Deputy Director and finally as Vice - Chairman. Punjab School Education Board. With a doctrate in Punjabi he is presently engaged in research and editing of Puniab Literature produced under the influence of freedom movement His contributions include Anthologies of poetry on Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. Martyrdom of S Bhagat Singh. Martyrdom of Hari Kishan. Gurudwara Reforms Movement. Mahatma Gandhi besides about another half a dozen books relating to Punjabi Uteralure and Culture.