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Fresh inquiry into Air India bombing sparks row in Canada
The petition accuses foreign intelligence of orchestrating the bombing to discredit Sikh political activism in Canada and India.
Representational image / Pexels
A petition calling for a fresh inquiry into the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing, which killed 329 people, has reignited the controversy in Canada.
Led by Sukh Dhaliwal, a Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) from British Columbia, several Sikh organizations have submitted the petition to the Canadian House of Commons, demanding a renewed investigation into what remains one of the deadliest aviation disasters.
The petition accuses foreign intelligence of orchestrating the bombing to discredit Sikh political activism in Canada and India. Copies of the petition have been circulated at gurdwaras and public places across the country, urging people to sign in support of the new probe.
The petition reads, “The Air India bombings of June 23, 1985, that left 331 people dead was the worst tragedy in the history of aviation terror before 9/11. The victims’ families continue to wait for justice and closure. Sikhs in Canada widely believe this was the handiwork of foreign intelligence to discredit their political activism and advocacy for human rights in India."
The petition also references recent tensions within Canada’s Sikh community, particularly following the June 2023 murder of Surrey Delta Gurdwara President Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement linking the incident to foreign interference by India.
However, not all MPs are in agreement with the petition’s claims. Chandra Arya, a Liberal MP from Ontario, took a firm stand against the petition in the House of Commons, stating, "Now, there is a petition on the Parliament portal asking for a new inquiry and promoting conspiracy theories promoted by Khalistan extremists."
Arya emphasized that two Canadian public inquiries have already concluded that Khalistani extremists were responsible for the bombing. "Mr. Speaker, 39 years back, Air India Flight 182 was blown up mid-air by a bomb planted by Canadian Khalistan extremists. It killed 329 people, and this is the largest mass killing in Canadian history," he said.
Bal Gupta, whose wife was among the victims, expressed frustration over the renewed calls for inquiry. In an interview with The Globe and Mail, Gupta said, "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."
There has been no official response from the Canadian government or the House of Commons regarding the petition, but it continues to stir emotions and debate within the country.
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