Canada petition on Air India conspiracy triggers Ottawa response

Sponsored by Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal and initiated by Gurpreet Singh of Delta, British Columbia, the e-petition garnered 4,238 signatures—far exceeding the 500 needed. The petition claims India was involved in the bombing, stating, “Sikhs in Canada widely believe this was the handiwork of foreign intelligence to discredit their political activism.” It ties this theory to the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023.

The petition’s timing and claims have fueled tensions in Indo-Canadian relations, with critics highlighting the lack of evidence supporting such theories. Observers have noted that these claims could further polarize the Sikh community in Canada, particularly in the wake of Nijjar’s controversial death, which itself remains a point of contention.

Official Findings Dismiss Conspiracy

However, courts and inquiries have consistently dismissed such allegations, confirming the bombing was executed by pro-Khalistan terrorists. The attack on June 23, 1985, orchestrated by the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), killed 329 people, marking Canada’s deadliest terror incident. Justice Ian Josephson, who presided over the trial, identified Talwinder Singh Parmar, leader of the BKI, as the mastermind.

The bombing, known as the Kanishka tragedy, targeted Air India Flight 182, which exploded mid-air near Ireland. Another bomb, intended for a second Air India flight, exploded prematurely at Japan’s Narita Airport, killing two baggage handlers. Investigators later confirmed both attacks were part of the same conspiracy by radical Sikh separatists seeking retaliation against India for Operation Blue Star.

Criticism of Political Motives

Experts criticized the petition, accusing the Liberal Party of pandering to identity politics. Christian Leuprecht and Joe Adam George, in the National Post, argued the government’s stance revictimizes families of the bombing victims. They highlighted that the petition undermines decades of investigative work and judicial findings, and risks eroding public trust in Canada’s justice system.

The petition’s approval by Dhaliwal has also drawn backlash from opposition leaders, who called it an irresponsible move that could strain Canada’s diplomatic ties with India. Conservative MP Michael Chong stated, “Promoting baseless conspiracy theories does a disservice to the victims and their families, and tarnishes Canada’s reputation on the global stage.”

Historical Acknowledgements

Former Justice John Major and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh have both acknowledged Parmar’s culpability, rejecting unfounded theories of foreign involvement. Justice Major, who headed a 2010 commission of inquiry into the bombing, emphasized the role of Babbar Khalsa and the absence of evidence implicating any foreign government.

A 2005 report by Bob Rae, now Canada’s ambassador to the UN, also corroborated these findings, stating, “The conspiracy to bomb Air India flights was the work of Sikh radicals intent on establishing an independent Khalistan.” Rae’s report underscored the importance of preventing such tragedies through better intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism measures.

Ottawa’s formal response to the petition is awaited, but experts have urged the government to reaffirm the findings of judicial and investigative bodies, ensuring the victims’ families are not further subjected to misinformation or political opportunism.