Honouring the 40th Anniversary of Deadliest Canadian Terrorist Attack : A National Call to Remember
- HCF Editor Desk
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 14 hours ago
Honouring the 40th Anniversary of the Air India Bombing: Deadliest Canadian Terrorist Attack , Taking away Life of 331 innocent People including 268 Canadians
On June 23, 1985, Air India Flight 182 (known as Emperor Kanishka) was brought down by a terrorist bomb over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all 329 people on board. It remains the deadliest terrorist attack in Canadian history and one of the worst aviation disasters the world has ever seen. Forty years ago, 331 innocent people including 268 Canadian citizens, were brutally murdered by a terrorist bomb aboard Air India Flight 182. This Canadian terrorism incident killed:
29 entire families with no living relatives remaining,
82 children under the age of 13,
Several parental units leaving children orphaned.
As the 40th anniversary of this horrific act approaches, the victims' families gather once again, not only to mourn their irreplaceable loss but to remind Canada of the enduring threat of terrorism and the vital importance of remembrance.
This annual gathering takes on added significance as June 23rd is now recognized by the Canadian government as the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, a direct result of the tireless advocacy of the Air India families. On this day, we not only remember our loved ones but stand in solidarity with all those affected by the scourge of terrorism worldwide.
"Despite the profound impact of this tragedy – the deadliest terrorist attack in Canadian history – a recent Angus Reid poll revealed a startling lack of awareness among Canadians, with 90% knowing little to nothing about the Air India disaster and 60% of 18–34-year-olds having never heard of it. This stark reality underscores the critical importance of these annual memorial services to ensure that the memory of the 331 victims is not lost to time and that vital lessons from this tragedy are not forgotten."
Never Forget: Canada’s 9/11 - Air India Flight 182 Families Mark 40 Years Since
Canada’s Deadliest Terrorist Attack
The flight, en route from Toronto to Mumbai via London, carried mostly Canadian citizens doctors, engineers, students, and entire families heading home for summer holidays. Among the victims were 86 children. Just an hour earlier, a second bomb from the same conspiracy exploded at Japan’s Narita Airport, killing two baggage handlers.
The attack was planned and executed in Canada by individuals linked to Sikh extremist groups, Khalsa Babbar . Despite a decades-long investigation and a trial that cost nearly $130 million, only one person, Inderjit Singh Reyat, was ever convicted. The tragedy exposed deep flaws in Canada’s national security and justice systems, and left families shattered and searching for answers.
Read Detailed Documentation: https://airindiaflight182.humanities.mcmaster.ca/
Join the National Vigil: A Community United in Remembrance
To mark the 40th anniversary of this national tragedy, families of the victims are hosting memorial vigils across Canada. These gatherings are moments of reflection, unity, and a collective promise: Never Again.
Memorial Events:
Toronto Memorial
Bal Gupta: | bal.gupta@ieee.org
Rob Alexander: | ralexander01@me.com
Deepak Khandelwal: | dkk.cdn@gmail.com
Ottawa Memorial
Susheel Gupta: | airindiamemorial@gmail.com
Vancouver Memorial
Dave Hayer: | Dave.S.Hayer@gmail.com
Montreal Memorial
Mahesh Sharma: | Mahesh.sharma@concordia.ca
Can’t Attend? Host a Vigil in Your Community on June 23, 2025:
If you’re unable to attend an official memorial, we encourage you to organize a local vigil in your neighborhood. Here’s how:
Gather with friends and family in a park or community space.
Light candles and observe a moment of silence.
Read the names of the victims or share a few words of remembrance.
Download printable posters and resources (below) take prints using a home printer or find nearby Staples or any other local printing shop.
Share your vigil on social media using hashtags like #AirIndia40 #NeverForget329 #JusticeForAirIndia
Whether you’re in a city square or a quiet backyard, your voice matters. Together, we honor the victims, support their families, and reaffirm our commitment to justice and peace.
Show your Support in Silence, Wear TRUTH:
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