US politicians chip in for Ghadar plaque

Sarika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 15

American politicians and businessmen have come forward to donate for the Ghadar Party plaque that mysteriously disappeared on October 23 from Astoria, Oregon. This plaque was dedicated to the Ghadarites at the centennial celebration of the party in Astoria in 2013.

The plaque was installed by the City Council and then Astoria Mayor Willis Van Dusen in a park along the Columbia river, situated next to the Finnish Socialist Hall Site, where the historic meeting took place on April 21, 1913.

Karen Mellin, City Councilperson responsible for the 100-year commemoration of the Ghadar Movement in Astoria, had told The Tribune that the incident had come as a shock to those who had participated in the celebrations and understood the seriousness of this loss. The police department had then assigned an officer to investigate the incident.

As the investigation failed to make any headway, the former Mayor ordered a new plaque. Donating to the cause, besides him, now are Oregon Senator Betsy Johnson, Lovekesh Kumar, owner of a super mart in Warrenton, and Bahadur Singh, Lovekesh’s brother.

“Having the means to help recognise the workers who inspired my country’s independence is a great honour,” said Bahadur. “Immigrants sacrifice a lot to be able to live freely and my family and I are grateful to live in a community that recognises that,” added Lovekesh.

The plaque recognised the founders of the Indian liberation movement, who immigrated to Astoria from Eastern India, mostly as workers at the Hammond Mill in Alderbrook.

Angela Cosby, Astoria’s Parks & Recreation director, said the city of Astoria had no prior knowledge of its former residents who were so integral to India’s independence movement, until approached by historian Johanna Ogden in late 2012. A huge celebration was held to honour the legacy of these individuals during Ghadar Party’s centennial celebration, by installing the plaque at the site of where the movement was born.

Former mayor Dusen said he was “deeply disappointed” that someone would go through the efforts of removing a sign that symbolises the sacrifices Indian immigrants made to embark on the noble cause of freedom and liberty. “The history of these labourers, who contributed greatly to the American economy and for the rights of their people back home, deserves to be recognised,” he said.