Khalistanis: On June 18, the Canadian Parliament paid tribute on the anniversary of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s death. A one-hour silence was observed, drawing objections from India. This is the same terrorist linked to the Air India Flight-182 bombing, which claimed 329 innocent lives. Let us revisit the harrowing story of that fateful day, which remains etched in the memories of many Indians.
The Prelude to Tragedy
On June 22, 1985, Manjit Singh checked in at Vancouver Airport at 3:30 pm for a flight to Toronto. When his ticket wasn’t confirmed, he persuaded the staff to at least send his luggage to India. The staff complied, and his luggage was placed on the flight.
Manjit Singh wasn’t on the plane, but his luggage was. The flight reached Toronto at 8:22 pm, where all passengers and luggage were transferred to Air India Flight-182 bound for India via London. Crucially, Manjit’s luggage was not rechecked at Toronto Airport but was directly loaded onto the flight.
The Fateful Flight
On June 23, 1985, at 12:15 pm, Air India Flight-182 took off from Toronto to India with 307 passengers and 22 crew members. The plane vanished from radar approximately 45 minutes before reaching London’s Heathrow Airport. When contacted, two other flights on the same route reported no sightings of Flight 182.
A British cargo plane pilot soon relayed a chilling message to the control room: the debris of Flight-182 was seen in the Atlantic Ocean. Investigations later revealed that as the plane approached the coast of Ireland, an explosion occurred, killing everyone on board. This wasn’t the only attempt; shortly after, Khalistani terrorists tried to bomb another Indian plane.
Canadian Inaction and its Consequences
Following the Air India bombing, on November 8, 1985, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canadian Intelligence Service raided the homes of Babbar Khalsa International leaders Talwinder Singh Parmar and Inderjit Singh Reyat. Despite evidence of their involvement, both were released due to a purported lack of evidence. Canada’s failure to take decisive action in such cases has emboldened these extremists over the years.
A Controversial Tribute
The Canadian government’s recent tribute to Hardeep Singh Nijjar, involving a minute’s silence, has sparked outrage. For many, it underscores a disturbing pattern of inaction and tacit support for individuals linked to terrorist activities. This move is seen as a grave insult to the memories of the 329 innocent lives lost in the Air India bombing and raises serious questions about Canada’s stance on terrorism and its commitment to justice.
The bombing of Air India Flight -182 remains a dark chapter in history, marked by senseless violence and the loss of innocent lives. The pain and grief of that event are still fresh for many, and the perceived lack of accountability only deepens the wound. As Canada navigates its policies and actions, the need for a firm stand against terrorism and a commitment to justice remains paramount
