Canada MP slams ‘Khalistan extremists’ over fresh Kanishka bombing probe plea

Indian-origin Canadian MP Chandra Arya criticised demands for a fresh enquiry into the 1985 bombing of Air India flight 182, saying it promoted conspiracy theories by Khalistani extremists.

In an address to the Canadian Parliament, Arya said two Canadian public inquiries had already found Khalistan extremists responsible for the bombing of Air India ‘Kanishka’ flight, which killed 329 people.

“39 years back, Air India Flight 182 was blown-up mid-air by a bomb planted by Canadian Khalistan extremists. Even today, the ideology responsible for this terrorist attack is still alive among a few people in Canada,” the MP said.

“Two Canadian public inquiries found Khalistan extremists responsible for the bombing of Air India flight,” he said.

Air India flight 182 was en route from Montreal to Bombay when it was attacked by Khalistani separatists on June 23, 1985. The tragic incident, the largest mass killing in Canadian history, resulted in the deaths of 329 people, including 268 Canadians and 24 Indians.

Criticising demands for a new probe into the bombing, he said, “Now, there is a petition on the parliament portal asking for a new enquiry promoting conspiracy theories promoted by Khalistan extremists.”

He also cited the account of a Canadian resident whose wife was killed in the Air India flight bombing. “It’s deeply frustrating. It opens up old wounds all over again. It’s all garbage. It’s an attempt to gain publicity and support for terrorist activities,” Arya quoted one Bal Gupta, whose wife Rama was killed in the attack, as saying to the media.

Earlier this year, on the 39th anniversary of the bombing, a Canadian journalist’s tribute to the victims at Queens Park in Toronto was allegedly disrupted by Khalistani sympathisers.