On Tuesday, Canada’s Parliament observed a one-minute silence for terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Meanwhile, India has decided to give a fitting response to Canada. On Sunday, June 23, homage will be paid to the victims of the Kanishka bombing.
A year ago, Nijjar was shot dead in Surrey, Canada, outside a British Columbia gurdwara. Canada had leveled serious charges against India in Nijjar's murder case. Tuesday marked one year since Nijjar's death, and the Canadian Parliament commemorated him with a minute of silence in the House of Commons.
In response, India has prepared to answer Canada. The Indian consulate in Vancouver has announced a memorial service for the '1985 bombing' victims. In 1985, Khalistani terrorists bombed Air India’s Kanishka aircraft resulting in 329 deaths. A memorial service in honor of these victims will be held on June 23 at 6:30 PM at Stanley Park's Ceperley Playground area. It is expected to gather a considerable crowd.
What is a Memorial Service?
A memorial service is a ceremony to honor and remember those who have died. It usually occurs weeks or months after the death, providing an opportunity for people to pay their respects and remember the deceased fondly.
The Indian consulate tweeted, stating that India is at the forefront of combating terrorism and collaborates with all nations to address this global threat. June 23, 2024, marks the 39th anniversary of the cowardly terrorist bombing of Air India Flight 182 (Kanishka). The incident resulted in 329 innocent lives lost, including 86 children, marking it as one of the most horrifying aviation disasters in civil aviation history.
Diplomatic Relations Post Nijjar's Murder
Nijjar, leader of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was shot dead outside a British Columbia gurdwara on June 18 last year. He was listed among 40 ''designated terrorists'' by the Indian government. The murder indictment included four Indian nationals—Karan Brar, Amandeep Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh. Canada questioned the involvement of the Indian government, leading to heightened diplomatic tensions, straining bilateral relations as well.
Earlier this month, during the G7 Summit in Italy, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau. Trudeau mentioned the encounter as an opportunity to forge new connections covering economic relations and national security.
Who Was Hardeep Singh Nijjar?
In 1997, Nijjar entered Canada with a fake passport, initially denied refugee status, after which he married a local woman, failing attempts still led to rejected immigration claims. Following his death, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau referred to him as a Canadian citizen in Parliament.
According to security agencies, Nijjar was a prominent leader of the banned terrorist group KTF, actively recruiting and training individuals. He was also associated with the pro-Khalistan group 'Sikhs for Justice'. On September 10, he conducted a Khalistan referendum. India's concerns regarding Nijjar's activities were frequently communicated, including a list of wanted individuals given by former Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh to Trudeau.
In 2022, Punjab Police sought Nijjar's extradition for his involvement in spreading terrorism in Punjab. He was wanted in several terrorism cases, including the 2017 Ludhiana blast that killed six and injured 42. Prior to this, he was accused in a case related to a bomb explosion near a temple in Patiala.
