Canadian MP Arya: Ideology Behind Air India Kanishka Bombing Still Present Among Some in Canada

Canadian MP Chandra Arya recalls the 1985 Kanishka bombing, stressing that the extremist ideology behind it still persists in Canada, causing concern among Hindu Canadians.

On June 20, 2024, Canadian Member of Parliament Chandra Arya, originally from India, spoke in the Canadian Parliament about the tragic Kanishka flight bombing incident, which occurred 39 years ago. The bombing of Air India Flight 182 on June 23, 1985, claimed the lives of 329 passengers and crew members, making it the deadliest terrorist attack in Canadian history.

Arya emphasized that the ideology responsible for this attack, rooted in Khalistani extremism, is still present among a minority in Canada. He highlighted that recent events, such as the celebration of the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by Khalistani supporters, demonstrate that these "dark forces" have been re-energized. This resurgence of violent ideologies has raised concerns among Hindu Canadians about their safety and the potential for future incidents.

In his speech, Arya stated, "Mr. Speaker, June 23rd is the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism. Thirty-nine years ago, on this day, Air India Flight 182 was blown up mid-air by a bomb planted by Canadian Khalistani extremists. It killed all 329 passengers and crew members and is the largest mass killing in Canadian history."

He further remarked, "Unfortunately, many Canadians are not aware that even today, the ideology responsible for this terrorist attack is still alive among a few people in Canada. The recent celebration of the assassination of Hindu Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by Khalistan supporters, glorifying violence and hate, shows that the dark forces have been energized again and point to dreadful times ahead. Hindu Canadians are rightfully concerned. I stand in solidarity with the families of the victims of the Air India bombing."

The Indian High Commission in Ottawa had previously described the attack as a "cowardly act of terror carried out by Canada-based Khalistani terrorists." To honor the victims, the Consulate General of India in Toronto will hold a memorial service on June 23, 2024, at Queen's Park.

India has consistently condemned terrorism and opposed its justification and glorification. The Consulate General of India in Toronto reiterated this stance, reminding the world of the Kanishka bombing's impact. In a statement shared on social media, the Consulate General stated, "India has always been at the forefront of the fight against terrorism and has opposed the justification and glorification of terrorism. June 23, 2024, marks the 39th anniversary of the bombing of Air India Flight 182 (Kanishka), which resulted in the death of 329 innocent victims, including 86 children, and remains one of the most heinous acts of terror in civil aviation."

The memorial service is taking place amid strained relations between India and Canada, following allegations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey last year. India has dismissed these claims as "absurd and motivated." Nijjar, designated a terrorist by India's National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot outside a Gurdwara in June 2023.

As both nations navigate these tensions, the remembrance of the Air India Flight 182 bombing serves as a somber reminder of the enduring impact of terrorism and the ongoing need to address extremist ideologies.