India reminds world of Air India Flight 182 bombing after Canadian Parliament honours Hardeep Singh Nijjar
PTC Web Desk: Soon after the Canadian Parliament honoured Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Indian Consulate in Vancouver issued a poignant reminder of the tragic bombing of Air India Flight 182 (Kanishka), which resulted in the deaths of 329 persons, including 86 children. This bombing, which took place on June 23, 1985, remains one of the deadliest terror-related air disasters in civil aviation history.
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On Wednesday, the Consulate General of India in Vancouver's official Twitter account, "India in Vancouver," posted, "India stands at the forefront of countering the menace of terrorism and works closely with all nations to tackle this global threat."
India stands at the forefront of countering the menace of terrorism and works closely with all nations to tackle this global threat. (1/3) — India in Vancouver (@cgivancouver) June 18, 2024
The tweet also noted, "23 June 2024 marks the 39th Anniversary of the cowardly terrorist bombing of Air India flight 182 (Kanishka), in which 329 innocent victims, including 86 children, lost their lives in one of the most heinous terror-related air disasters in the history of civil aviation."
23 June 2024 marks the 39th Anniversary of the cowardly terrorist bombing of Air India flight 182 (Kanishka), in which 329 innocent victims, including 86 children, lost their lives in one of the most heinous terror-related air disasters in the history of civil aviation. (2/3) — India in Vancouver (@cgivancouver) June 18, 2024
In addition to the online statement, the consulate announced a Memorial Service to be held at 1830 hrs on June 23 at the Air India Memorial in Stanley Park's Ceperley Playground area. The post encouraged members of the Indian Diaspora to join the event as a show of solidarity against terrorism.
A Memorial Service is scheduled at 1830 hrs on June 23, 2024 at the Air India Memorial at Stanley Park's Ceperley Playground area. @cgivancouver encourages members of the Indian Diaspora to join the event in a show of solidarity against terrorism. (3/3) @HCI_Ottawa pic.twitter.com/oQrr7ggomA — India in Vancouver (@cgivancouver) June 18, 2024
This reminder comes in the wake of the Canadian Parliament observing a moment of silence in the House of Commons to mark the first anniversary of Hardeep Singh Nijjar's death. Nijjar was gunned down outside a gurdwara in Surrey, Canada, on June 18 last year. India had designated him as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently commented on the relationship between Canada and India, stating that there is "alignment on several big issues” and expressing an "opportunity” to engage with the new Indian government. These remarks followed a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G7 summit in Italy.
The allegations from Canada that Indian officials were involved in Nijjar's killing have further strained relations between Ottawa and New Delhi. India has consistently maintained that the core issue lies in Canada's tolerance of pro-Khalistan elements operating with impunity on Canadian soil.
- With inputs from agencies
