India Condemns Glorification of Militancy on Kanishka Bombing Anniversary

? High Commissioner Verma Calls for Global Unity Against Terrorism, Emphasizes Human Lives Over Political Gains

On the solemn 39th anniversary of the tragic Kanishka bombing, which claimed the lives of 329 individuals, mostly Canadians of Indian descent, aboard an Air India flight in 1985, India has strongly condemned the glorification of militancy. In a powerful statement, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa emphasized that no government should overlook the threat of terrorism emanating from its territories for political gains.

This sentiment was echoed during memorial services held in Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver, where the victims of the horrific act were remembered with deep reverence.

The Indian High Commissioner, Sanjay Kumar Verma, stressed the imperative of combating terrorism with decisive legal and social actions, underscoring that human lives are far more valuable than transient political interests. The memorials come at a time of strained relations between Canada and India, highlighting the ongoing challenge of addressing terrorism and maintaining international peace and security.

Terming the frequent acts glorifying militancy in Canada as ?deplorable,? India has emphasized that no government in the world should overlook the threat of terrorism emanating from its territories for political gains.

In a statement on the 39th anniversary of the 1985 Kanishka bombing, which claimed the lives of 329 individuals, most of whom were Canadians of Indian descent, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa highlighted that terrorism knows ?no borders, nationality, or race.?

Background of the Kanishka Bombing

On June 23, 1985, the Montreal-New Delhi Air India ?Kanishka? Flight 182 exploded 45 minutes before it was scheduled to land at London?s Heathrow Airport. The explosion killed all 329 people on board, including 86 children. The bombing was attributed to Sikh militants in retaliation for ?Operation Bluestar,? an Indian military operation in 1984 aimed at flushing out militants from the Golden Temple.

Memorial Services

The Indian High Commission in Ottawa and the consulates of India in Toronto and Vancouver organized memorial services on June 23 to solemnly remember the victims of the “dastardly act of terror” in 1985. Addressing the gathering, High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma stated, ?No government in the world should overlook the threat of terrorism emanating from its territories for political gains. Human lives are much more important than transitory political interests. All terrorist activities should be met with exemplary legal and social actions before they start harming larger humanity.?

Verma further emphasized the need for governments, security agencies, and international organizations to work in concert to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their financing, and counter their twisted ideologies.

Strained Relations between Canada and India

The memorial services come at a time when relations between Canada and India are severely strained following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations in September last year of “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. New Delhi rejected Trudeau?s charges as ?absurd? and ?motivated.?

Condemnation of Glorifying Terrorism

Earlier, in a statement, the Indian High Commission said it was ?unfortunate? that such actions are allowed to be ?routine? in Canada when they should be condemned by all peace-loving countries and people.

?While thirty-nine years have passed since the cowardly act, terrorism has unfortunately assumed proportions of an existential threat to international peace and security today,? the statement said. ?Any act of glorifying terrorism, including the bombing of AI-182 in 1985, is deplorable and should be condemned by all peace-loving countries and people,? it added.

Asserting that terrorism knows “no borders, nationality, or race” and is a challenge that the international community needs to combat collectively, the Indian mission in Ottawa said that over the years, India has led the counter-terrorism efforts with support from like-minded countries.

Tribute to the Victims

Terming the Kanishka bombing ?the worst ever in Canadian aviation history to date,? the Indian mission said that the incident will remain an ?unbearable loss? not only for the victims? families but also for humanity as a whole. ?The perpetrators and the co-conspirators of this dastardly act remain free,? the mission added.

Quoting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, the statement said, “…Nor must we countenance that political convenience determines responses to terrorism, extremism, and violence. Similarly, respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs cannot be exercised in cherry-picking.”

Commemorative Activities

The Indian mission in Toronto also marked the day. “Consul General Siddhartha Nath laid a wreath at the Air India 182 memorial, Humber Park, Etobicoke, in solemn remembrance of the 329 victims of the terrorist bombing of AI 182 on this day, 39 years ago,” the Consulate General of India in Toronto posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, along with a photograph.

In another post on X, the mission said the Consul General also attended the memorial service held at Queen?s Park, Toronto, for the victims and met with the bereaved families.

The Indian mission in Vancouver held a memorial service where Consul General Masarung paid homage to the victims of Air India flight 182. Family members and friends of the victims, BC Ministers, MPs, MLAs, and city officials attended the solemn occasion.

Ongoing Diplomatic Tensions

India has maintained that the primary issue between the two countries is Ottawa?s leniency towards pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil with impunity. Relations between Canada and India have been tense for years, exacerbated by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi?s disputes over Sikh separatist elements in Canada.

Canada is home to the largest Sikh community outside of India, approximately 770,000 people or about 2.1% of the country’s population. Some Sikh Canadians support the creation of a separate Sikh homeland, independent from India. These supporters have sent money and resources to the cause and have staged unofficial referendums in Canada, actions condemned by India’s leadership.

Conclusion

The fractious relationship reached a peak last fall when Trudeau claimed that Canadian authorities were “actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link” between agents working for the Indian government and the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside his Surrey, B.C. gurdwara in June 2023. India rejected Trudeau’s claim as “absurd” and accused Canadians of interfering in “internal matters.” Both countries subsequently expelled each other’s diplomats.

The Canadian police later arrested members of a hit squad alleged to have carried out the Nijjar killing. Investigators believe the alleged assassins were retained by the Indian government.

Meanwhile, the seriousness of countries glorifying terrorists from another nation cannot be overstated. Such actions not only undermine international peace and security but also embolden extremist elements, jeopardizing lives and destabilizing regions.

Governments must adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, irrespective of political or strategic considerations, to safeguard global harmony and ensure that justice prevails for victims of terror worldwide.