Honoring the 40th Anniversary of Deadliest Canadian Terrorist Attack : A National Call by HCF to Remember the Victims of Terror
- HCF Editor Desk
- Jun 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 24
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 hosted by the Victim Families:
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
A National Call for Hosting 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:
The dead cannot cry out for justice; it is the duty of the living to do so on their behalf.
The fight against terrorists and their sympathizers has only just begun, and the tide is turning. Canadians from diverse backgrounds united to condemn the homegrown extremist and terrorist ideology of Canada-based Khalistani Extremists (#CBKE), who spoke with one voice: "Canadians Against Terrorism" We thanks to all the elected officials and Citizens who joined the 40th Air India 182 Memorial Service across Canada.
Now, let us translate this support and determination into concrete action to curb terrorism. Hindu Canadian Foundation repeats it's call to Canadian government to officially designate #CBKE as a terrorist organization to protect Canadians from the rising threat of extremism and safeguard future generations.
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