A Community Voice Stands Firm: Ensuring Canadian History and Victims’ Voices Are Never Erased - Air India 182 Terrorist Attack
- Sukhdeep Singh
- Jun 11
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 13
On June 23, 1985, Canada faced its darkest moment in the form of the Air India Flight 182 bombing, also known as the Kanishka bombing. This horrific act of terrorism, which claimed 329 lives, including 268 Canadian citizens, remains the deadliest terrorist attack on Canadian soil. In 2005, Canada announced the day June 23rd to be recognized as National Day for Remembering victims of terrorism, and since then on this day PM office has been issuing statement to commemorate the day. The day was included in the important and commemorative days on the Federal government’s Website (Red here). Yet, In a disturbing move, the Canadian government quietly removed this day from the list on their website, raising questions about an attempt to erase the memory of the victims and the lessons learned from this catastrophic event.
Mr. Vijay Jain, a prominent community leader and advocate for justice, discovered the removal of the day for remembering victims of terrorism from the federal government website. A designated day to commemorate the victims of Air India tragedy and victims of all terrorism, was taken down without any public notice, explanation, or consultation. For Mr. Jain, this was not just an administrative oversight but a potential attempt to erase the memory of the 329 victims and the lessons learned from Canada’s worst terrorist attack. His organization, Vishwa Jain Sangathan, and his role with Canadian Hindus for Harmony have long championed justice and remembrance for victims of violence, and he saw this act as a betrayal of those principles.
Mr. Jain’s efforts revealed no pretext for the removal—no official announcement, no policy change, no public consultation. The absence of transparency raised suspicions of a deeper conspiracy. Why would the government remove a record of such a pivotal event in Canadian history? Who authorized this decision, and what was their motive? These questions fueled Jain’s determination to hold authorities accountable
A Mountain of Effort: Restoring the Record
Mr. Jain’s response was swift and resolute. He tirelessly followed up with government authorities, demanding answers and the restoration of the day. His advocacy was rooted in a profound sense of responsibility to the 329 lives lost, including the 268 Canadian citizens whose stories deserved to be remembered. Through persistent communication with Prime Minister’s office, Jain emphasized that erasing the day from the commemorative day listing was tantamount to silencing the victims and undermining Canada’s commitment to combating terrorism.
His efforts bore fruit. After significant pressure, the government acknowledged the removal and committed to restoring the day from the commemorative day listing. The day to remember all victims of terrorism was reinstated, ensuring that the tragedy remained in the public record. Jain’s advocacy not only preserved the memory of the victims but also sent a powerful message: communities will not stand idly by when history is tampered with.
Thanks to the vigilance and relentless efforts of Mr. Vijay Jain, President of Vishwa Jain Sangathan and Director of Canadian Hindus for Harmony and then General Secretary of COHHE, the day was restored in the commemorative day listing, but the incident leaves lingering questions about accountability, transparency, and the prevention of such oversights in the future.
Snippet of communication email dated on Dec 07 2022:
Link to Federal Government website after the day was reinstated in the commemorative day
Unanswered Questions: Why Was the Article Day Removed?
Despite the restoration, critical questions remain unanswered:
1. Why was the day removed? The lack of a clear explanation suggests either gross negligence or a deliberate attempt to downplay the tragedy. Was it a bureaucratic error, or was there pressure from external groups to suppress the narrative? The absence of transparency fuels speculation about political or diplomatic motives, especially given the historical tensions surrounding the Sikh separatist movement and Canada-India relations.
2. Who was behind the decision? No individuals or entities have been publicly identified as responsible for the removal. Was it a unilateral decision by a government department, or were external influences at play? The 2003 CBC report alleging CSIS destroyed wiretaps related to the Air India investigation and the 2000 Congressional Record claiming Indian government involvement in the bombing highlight the potential for hidden agendas.
3. What does this mean for public memory? The Air India bombing has long struggled to be recognized as a Canadian tragedy. The initial government response, including Prime Minister Brian Mulroney’s call to Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi rather than to victims’ families, underscored a perception that the attack was a “foreign” issue. The removal of the day risks perpetuating this disconnect, especially when 90% of Canadians, particularly younger generations, are unaware of the event.
Preventing Future Erasures: A Call to Action
To ensure that such an incident does not happen again, Canada must take proactive steps to safeguard the memory of the Air India Flight 182 victims and strengthen its commitment to counter-terrorism. Here are actionable suggestions:
1. Transparency and Accountability in Public Records
Policy on Content Removal: The government should establish clear protocols for removing or altering content related to significant historical events. Any such action must require public consultation and a detailed explanation.
Independent Oversight: Create an independent oversight body to monitor government websites for changes to sensitive historical records, ensuring no unauthorized removals occur.
Audit Trail: Maintain a public log of changes to government websites, particularly for pages related to national tragedies, to promote transparency.
2. Strengthening Public Memory:
Educational Initiatives: Incorporate the Air India bombing into school curricula and public awareness campaigns to ensure younger generations understand its significance. Dr. Angela Failler’s work on the cultural afterlife of the bombing highlights the need to foreground victims’ stories in public memory.
Community Engagement: Support community-led initiatives, like those of Vijay Jain, to preserve memorials and advocate for victims’ families. The Kanishka Project, launched in 2011, is a model for funding research and remembrance efforts.
Annual Commemorations: Strengthen the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism with public events, media coverage, and government participation to keep the tragedy in the national consciousness.
3. Enhancing Counter-Terrorism Measures
Improved Intelligence Sharing: The 2010 Commission of Inquiry highlighted a “cascading series of errors” by CSIS and the RCMP that failed to prevent the bombing. Modernizing intelligence-sharing protocols and ensuring cultural competence in security agencies can prevent future lapses.
Aviation Security: Tighten airport security protocols, particularly for unaccompanied luggage, as the Kanishka bombing exploited this vulnerability. Regular audits of security measures can ensure compliance with global standards.
Community Outreach: Engage with diverse communities, as recommended by the Cross-Cultural Roundtable, to build trust and gather intelligence on potential threats without marginalizing groups.
4. Supporting Victims’ Families
Dedicated Support Systems: Establish a permanent framework for supporting families affected by terrorism, including mental health services, financial aid, and legal assistance. The lack of support for Air India victims’ families in 1985 remains a stain on Canada’s response.
Ex Gratia Payments: Expand and formalize ex gratia payments for victims’ families, as done in 2012, to acknowledge-REDACTED
Mr. Vijay Jain’s Action: A Voice for Justice & Advocacy for Victims of Terror
Vijay Jain’s unwavering commitment to preserving the memory of the Air India Flight 182 victims is a testament to the power of community advocacy. His efforts ensured that the Canadian government could not quietly erase a critical piece of history. However, the incident raises broader concerns about how Canada remembers and learns from its past. The Air India bombing is not just a tragedy but a call to action to strengthen national security, honor victims, and ensure transparency in public memory.
By addressing the unanswered questions and implementing preventive measures, Canada can honor the 329 lives lost and ensure that such a tragedy—and attempts to erase it—never happen again. Vijay Jain’s stand is a reminder that a strong community voice can hold governments accountable and keep history alive.
The Air India Flight 182 Tragedy: A Wound That Must Not Be Forgotten
On that fateful day in 1985, Air India Flight 182, en route from Montreal to London, exploded mid-air off the coast of Ireland due to a bomb planted by Canadian-based Sikh extremists Group allegedly by the Babbar Khalsa . The attack killed all 329 passengers and crew, including 86 children, devastating families and communities across Canada and beyond. A simultaneous bombing at Tokyo’s Narita Airport, linked to the same conspiracy, killed two baggage handlers, underscoring the scale of the plot. The tragedy, rooted in tensions surrounding the Sikh separatist movement for Khalistan, exposed significant failures in Canada’s security and intelligence systems at the time. Despite being Canada’s “9/11,” the event has often been under-remembered, with a 2023 Angus Reid poll revealing that 90% of Canadians have little to no knowledge of it.
The bombing was not just a loss of lives but a stark reminder of the need for robust counter-terrorism measures and the importance of honoring victims through public memory.
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