1985 Air India Kanishka Bombing: Canadian MP Warns 'Dark' Khalistani Forces 'Energised Again'

Marking the upcoming anniversary of the Air India Flight 182 bombing, an Indian-origin Canadian lawmaker has warned that the “dark forces” of the Khalistan movement, which claimed the lives of 329 people in 1985, are “energized again.

In an address to the parliament, Chandra Arya cautioned about the enduring presence of Khalistani ideology within Canada, citing recent incidents that have sparked concerns among Hindu Canadians. During his speech, he condemned the ‘cowardly act of terror’ orchestrated by Canadian-based Khalistani extremists, labeling it the deadliest mass killing in the country’s history.

June 23, 39 years back

“Mr. Speaker, June 23 is National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism. 39 years back, on this day, Air India Flight 182 was blown-up mid-air from a bomb planted by Canadian Khalistani extremists. It killed all 329 passengers and crew members and is the largest mass killing in Canadian history,” Arya began, recounting the devastating mid-air explosion of Air India 182 over the Atlantic Ocean in 1985.

Arya expressed dismay over ongoing demonstrations by Khalistani supporters in Canada, including celebrations of the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Such acts, he warned, signify the resurgence of “dark forces” advocating violence and hate.

“Unfortunately, many Canadians are not aware that even today, the ideology responsible for this terrorist attack is still alive among few people in Canada. 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,” he added.

READ MORE: Indian Consulate General in Vancouver to Organise Memorial Service For 1985 Kanishka Bombing Victims

The Canadian MP’s remarks come amid preparations for a memorial service at Queen’s Park on June 23rd, organised by the Consulate General of India in Toronto. The event honours the victims of the Air India tragedy, reiterating India’s staunch stance against terrorism and its rejection of any glorification or justification of such acts.

This anniversary comes as relations between India and Canada strained last year when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has dismissed these allegations as baseless and asked Ottawa to furnish proof.