The correct answer is: a) Denied entry due to discriminatory laws.
The Komagata Maru was a Japanese steamship that was chartered by Gurdit Singh to bring 376 Indian passengers, mostly Sikhs, to Canada in 1914. The passengers were all British subjects, but they were denied entry to Canada under the Continuous Journey Regulation, which required immigrants to travel directly from their country of origin to Canada. The passengers were held on board the ship for two months before being forced to return to India. The incident was a major turning point in the history of Indian immigration to Canada and led to the rise of the Ghadar Party, a revolutionary organization that sought to overthrow British rule in India.
The other options are incorrect for the following reasons:
- Option b) is incorrect because the passengers were not welcomed and granted citizenship. They were denied entry to Canada and forced to return to India.
- Option c) is incorrect because the passengers were not imprisoned upon arrival. They were held on board the ship for two months before being forced to return to India.
- Option d) is incorrect because the passengers were not granted asylum in the United States. They were denied entry to Canada and forced to return to India.