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Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Over 60% Canadians want Kanishka bombing taught in schools: Survey
While Canadians remain largely unaware of the worst terror attack in the country's history, two-third believe details of the bombing of Air India flight 182, the Kanishka, by Khalistani extremists, should be taught in schools and the problem of ignorance corrected. A man lays a wreath as he pays tribute to the victims on the 40th anniversary of Air India Flight 182 Kanishka bombing, at the Ahakista Memorial in Cork on Monday. (ANI Video Grab) These were among the major findings of a new survey conducted by the non-profit Angus Reid Institute (ARI) published on the 40th anniversary of the bombing, which claimed 329 lives, including close to 280 Canadian citizens on June 23, 1985. Of those sampled, 59% said they 'only know the main details', according to an ARI release. Half, 51%, believe the bombing 'has never been treated like a Canadian tragedy', and seven-in-ten, 71%, support an exhibit about the bombing at the Canadian Museum of History. Approximately two-third, 65%, 'believe it should be consistently taught in Canadian schools', ARI said. 'Both would go a long way to increase the number of Canadians in future years who feel Canada has done enough to honour the victims. In both 2023 polling and these latest data fewer than three-in-10 said enough had been done,' ARI noted. Talwinder Singh Parmar, considered the mastermind of the attack, lived in Burnaby in British Columbia, the plot was hatched and the bomb made in that province, yet Canadian remain largely ignorant of what was the worst incident of aviation terrorism till 9/11. The ARI described the Kanishka bombing as an 'unremembered tragedy' as nearly a third of those surveyed, 32%, said they were unaware of it, 4% higher than what it was in a similar poll conducted in 2023. There is also little liking for pro-Khalistan groups taking to gathering at the memorials to the tragedy on the anniversary. 'Three-in-five (63%) say that even if they have the right to be there, the presence of Khalistan supporters at public memorial is inappropriate,' the survey found. In addition, 34% believe there is too much 'disinformation' about the bombing, including the discredited conspiracy theory of an Indian role. 'Today marks 40 years to the day that Canada endured the worst terror attack in its history, but if you ask most Canadians, there's a good chance they'd be unable to tell you that,' the ARI stated. But, they understand such lack of knowledge is wrong, as it added, 'While they may not know a lot about the tragedy, Canadians appear to see this as a problem to correct.'
Hindustan Times
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
40 yrs of Kanishka bombing: 51% believe the incident ‘has never been treated like a Canadian tragedy', finds poll
Toronto: While Canadians remain largely unaware of the worst terror attack in the country's history, two-third believe details of the bombing of Air India flight 182, the Kanishka, by Khalistani extremists, should be taught in schools and the problem of ignorance corrected. Mourners gathered to remember the victims of the Kanishka bombing at the memorial in Toronto on Sunday, the eve of the 40th anniversary of the worst terror attack in Canadian history. (Supplied photo) These were among the major findings of a new survey conducted by the non-profit Angus Reid Institute (ARI) published on the 40th anniversary of the bombing, which claimed 329 lives, including close to 280 Canadian citizens on June 23, 1985. Of those sampled, 59% said they 'only know the main details', according to an ARI release. Half, 51%, believe the bombing 'has never been treated like a Canadian tragedy', and seven-in-ten, 71%, support an exhibit about the bombing at the Canadian Museum of History. Approximately two-third, 65%, 'believe it should be consistently taught in Canadian schools', ARI said. 'Both would go a long way to increase the number of Canadians in future years of who feel Canada has done enough to honour the victims. In both 2023 polling and these latest data fewer than three-in-10 said enough had been done,' ARI noted. Talwinder Singh Parmar, considered the mastermind of the attack, lived in Burnaby in British Columbia, the plot was hatched and the bomb made in that province, yet Canadian remain largely ignorant of what was the worst incident of aviation terrorism till 9/11. ARI described the Kanishka bombing as an 'unremembered tragedy' as nearly a third of those surveyed, 32%, said they were unaware of it, 4% higher than what it was in a similar poll conducted in 2023. There is also little liking for pro-Khalistan groups taking to gathering at the memorials to the tragedy on the anniversary. 'Three-in-five (63%) say that even if they have the right to be there, the presence of Khalistan supporters at public memorial is inappropriate,' the survey found. In addition, 34% believe there is too much 'disinformation' about the bombing, including the discredited conspiracy theory of an Indian role. 'Today marks 40 years to the day that Canada endured the worst terror attack in its history, but if you ask most Canadians, there's a good chance they'd be unable to tell you that,' the ARI stated. But, they understand such lack of knowledge is wrong, as it added, 'While they may not know a lot about the tragedy, Canadians appear to see this as a problem to correct.'
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First Post
23-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
History Today: The deadly bombing of Air India 'Kanishka' Flight 182 that killed 329 people
On June 23, 1985, Air India 'Kanishka' Flight 182, flying from Montreal to New Delhi, exploded mid-air just 45 minutes before it was due to land at London's Heathrow Airport. All 329 people on board were killed. Most of the victims were Canadians of Indian descent. It remains the worst aviation tragedy in Canada's history. The attack was blamed on Sikh extremists as retaliation for 'Operation Blue Star', the 1984 Indian army action to remove militants from the Golden Temple read more On June 23, 1985, Air India's Montreal-New Delhi 'Kanishka' Flight 182 exploded in mid-air just 45 minutes before it was due to land at London's Heathrow Airport. All 329 people on board died, most of them Canadians of Indian descent. The attack was blamed on Sikh extremists as retaliation for 'Operation Blue Star' , the 1984 Indian military action to remove militants from the Golden Temple. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today , is your one-stop destination to explore key events. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also on this day in 2018, a Thai football team known as the Wild Boars went exploring a cave after practice. What began as a fun trip quickly turned into a nightmare when monsoon rains trapped them inside. The group remained stuck for more than two weeks, in a rescue that captured attention around the world. Further, in 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum to decide on its membership in the European Union. A total of 51.9 per cent voted in favour of leaving ('Brexit'), while 48.1 per cent wanted to stay. This was the first time a country chose to leave the union. Let's take a look at the events in detail: The bombing of Air India 'Kanishka' Flight 182 On this day in 1985, Air India Flight 182 was on its way from Montreal to New Delhi when it exploded mid-air, just 45 minutes before it was meant to land at London's Heathrow Airport. All 329 passengers and crew died in the blast. Most of those on board were Canadians of Indian origin. It remains the deadliest aviation disaster in Canadian history. All 329 passengers and crew died in the blast. Reuters/File Photo The Babbar Khalsa, a Sikh terrorist outfit, was held responsible for the attack. It was seen as a direct response to the army operation carried out at the Golden Temple in June 1984. After the incident, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) launched a massive inquiry. It went on to become one of the longest and most detailed terrorism investigations ever undertaken in Canada. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A few months after the bombing, Talwinder Singh Parmar, who led the Babbar Khalsa, and Inderjit Singh Reyat, an electrician, were taken into custody by the RCMP. Parmar, who was earlier sought by India for extradition in the early 1980s, was released due to a 'lack of evidence". Later findings showed that Parmar was behind the attack. He was killed by Indian police in 1992. In 2000, Ripudaman Singh Malik, a businessman based in Vancouver, and Ajaib Singh Bagri, a mill worker from British Columbia, were charged with offences including mass murder and conspiracy. But in 2005, after a long court process, both were cleared of all charges. The judge cited problems with the facts presented and questions over the reliability of key witnesses. The verdict came as a blow to the families of the victims. Reyat was the only person who ended up being found guilty in connection with the bombing. He was later convicted of lying under oath during the trial of Malik and Bagri, which led to a further prison sentence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It began as a casual outing after football practice. On June 23, 2018, Ekkapol Chantawong, a 25-year-old coach, took his Thai youth team, the Wild Boars, to explore a cave he had visited before. The plan was to spend around an hour inside. But once inside, monsoon rains arrived, flooding the entrance and leaving the coach and his 12 players, aged between 11 and 16, stuck underground. They would stay trapped for over two weeks, in a tragedy that gained worldwide attention. The group had entered the Tham Luang cave system with only a rope, a torch and some batteries. They carried no food or water. They would stay trapped for over two weeks. Reuters/File Photo News of their disappearance spread quickly, and the search effort turned global. An international team of cave divers, led by Thai Navy Seals, launched a major operation to find and rescue them. British divers located the team around 2.5 miles inside the cave on July 2, 2018. A highly risky rescue followed. All the boys and their coach were brought out between July 8 and 10. The operation claimed the life of a volunteer and former Thai Navy Seal, Saman Kunan, who died on July 6 while delivering oxygen tanks and ran out of air underwater. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Brexit: When UK voted to pull out of European Union On this day in 2016, the United Kingdom held a vote to decide whether to remain in the European Union (EU). Voters were asked: 'Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?' A total of 51.89 per cent chose to leave. After the formal notice to withdraw was submitted in March 2017, negotiations on the terms of exit carried on for more than two years. Then Prime Minister Theresa May, whose leadership was closely tied to Brexit , stepped down in July 2019 after failing multiple times to get her deal approved in Parliament. Her successor, Boris Johnson, eventually led the country out of the EU. Notably, the term 'Brexit' is the name given to the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union. AP/File Photo The UK officially exited the bloc on January 31, 2020. The right to live and work freely between Britain and EU member states came to an end. Notably, the term 'Brexit' is the name given to the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union. It is a combination of 'Britain' and 'exit'. This Day, That Year 1956: Gamal Abdel Nasser was elected as Egypt's president. 1961: The Antarctic Treaty came into force, setting aside the continent for peaceful, non-political scientific research. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 1992: Mafia leader John Gotti, known as the 'Teflon Don' for avoiding conviction in several trials during the 1980s, was sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty on 14 counts, including conspiracy to commit murder and racketeering. 2022: The US Supreme Court declared that Americans have the right to carry firearms in public for self-defence.
National Post
20-06-2025
- National Post
RCMP finally discovers identify of mysterious 1985 Air India bomb-testing suspect
Article content BANTRY, Ireland — Police in British Columbia have finally identified the mysterious man who helped test a bomb on Vancouver Island a few weeks before the Air India bombing on June 23, 1985. Article content RCMP Asst. Commissioner David Teboul told Postmedia that the previously unidentified suspect in the mass murder case recently died without ever facing charges. Article content Article content He said he couldn't release the name of the man due to privacy laws even though he's now dead. Article content Teboul and several other RCMP officers are part of the Canadian delegation here to mark the 40th anniversary of the Air India bombing. Dozens of relatives of victims are arriving to attend the service at a memorial to the 329 people who died when a B.C.-made bomb exploded on Air India Flight 182 off the coast of Ireland. Article content Article content Teboul, who is the commander of federal policing in B.C., said that despite the acquittals of two key bombing suspects in 2005, investigators have continued to work on the file 'to tie up some loose ends and discover more truth that's independent of judicial process.' Article content That's what lead them to uncover the identity of the mystery suspect, dubbed Mr. X, who travelled to Duncan on June 4, 1985, with terror plot mastermind Talwinder Singh Parmar. The two men then joined up with electrician Inderjit Singh Reyat. Article content Article content The trio went into the woods and tested a bomb all while they were being followed by agents from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. The agents heard the blast but thought it was a gunshot. Article content Article content Parmar, founder of the Babbar Khalsa Sikh separatist group, was killed by police in Punjab in 1992 before he could be charged in the Air India terrorism plot. Article content Reyat was convicted of manslaughter for building another bomb that exploded at Japan's Narita Airport 54 minutes before the Air India blast. Two baggage handlers were killed. And he pleaded guilty to assisting Mr. X and Parmar build the Air India bomb. Article content Article content Teboul said that while there is an continuing investigation 'there's very little realistic chance of seeing this matter go to another trial.'
