Canada’s Controversy Reignites Kanishka Terror Debate

Amidst the solemnity of the Canadian Parliament’s acknowledgment of a Khalistani extremist, the Indian Consulate in Vancouver resurfaced the poignant reminiscence of the Air India flight 182 (Kanishka) tragedy, the place 329 souls, together with 86 younger ones, met their premature demise.

In a resolute proclamation, ‘India in Vancouver,’ the authoritative Twitter deal with of the Consulate Normal of India in Vancouver, avowed, “India stands as a vanguard towards the scourge of terrorism, collaborating intently with all nations to confront this international menace.”

A pertinent reminder marked June 23, 2024, because the thirty ninth Commemoration of the craven terrorist assault on Air India flight 182 (Kanishka), an occasion that claimed 329 harmless lives, amongst them 86 juveniles, constituting one of the atrocious acts of terror-induced air catastrophes in civil aviation annals. The consulate is about to conduct a Memorial Service at 1830 hrs on June 23 on the Air India Memorial located at Stanley Park’s Ceperley Playground space.

In a bid for unified defiance towards terrorism, the consulate, by its put up, urged members of the Indian Diaspora to partake within the occasion. Whereas India reiterates the specter of terrorism to the world, the Canadian Parliament noticed a second of silence on Tuesday to commemorate the primary anniversary of the demise of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

This improvement comes scorching on the heels of Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s assertion of “congruence on quite a few vital issues” with India, envisioning an “opening” to work together with the brand new Indian administration. Trudeau’s pronouncement ensued subsequent to his encounter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Italy through the G7 summit. Nijjar met his demise in Surrey, Canada, on June 18 final yr. India had categorized him as a ‘designated terrorist’ below the Illegal Actions (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Canada has alleged Indian involvement in Nijjar’s demise however has didn’t furnish substantiated proof. Consequently, this deadlock has strained relations between Ottawa and New Delhi. India has persistently articulated that the core rivalry between the 2 nations revolves round Canada offering sanctuary to pro-Khalistan parts who function from Canadian soil with impunity.