Indian-origin MP for Nepean Chandra Arya said the ideology responsible for the Kanishka bombing still lives on in few Canadians. (Image: X)
The Indian-origin MP from Nepean said the request for a fresh inquiry was an attempt to spread conspiracy theories supported by Khalistanis.
Canada’s Nepean MP Chandra Arya has called for a new investigation into the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182, saying it promotes conspiracy theories by Khalistan militants.
The Indian-origin member of the House of Commons told the House of Representatives that two Canadian public inquiries have already found that militants from Khalistan were responsible for the bombing of Air India’s Kanishka flight. The terrorist attack resulted in the death of 329 people.
“39 years ago, Air India Flight 182 was blown up in mid-air by a bomb planted by Canadian militants from Khalistan. Even today, the ideology responsible for this terrorist attack is still alive among a few in Canada,” Arya said.
“Two Canadian public inquiries found that militants from Khalistan were responsible for the bombing of the Air India flight,” he added.
Air India Flight 182 was en route from Montreal to Mumbai (then Bombay) when a bomb planted by Khalistan separatists blew up the plane in mid-air. The flight disintegrated at an altitude of 31,000 feet and its wreckage fell into the sea off the coast of Ireland.
All 329 people on board, including 268 Canadian citizens, 27 British citizens and 24 Indian citizens, died in the attack.
“Now there is a petition on the portal of parliament demanding a fresh investigation promoting conspiracy theories propagated by Khalistan extremists,” Arya said, referring to the new demand.
“This is deeply disappointing. It reopens old wounds. It’s all rubbish. This is an attempt to gain publicity and support for terrorist activities,” he added, this time citing an account by Bal Gupta, a Canadian national whose wife Rama was killed in the attack.
Khalistan elements this year disrupted a tribute program held to mark the 39th anniversary of the bombing.
