On the 39th anniversary of the Air India Kanishka bombing, a solemn memorial event intended to honor the 329 innocent lives lost was marred by the disruptive actions of Khalistani extremists. This tragic event, which took place on June 23, 1985, remains a haunting reminder of the devastating impact of terrorism, particularly for the 280 Canadian citizens who perished. Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman highlighted the significance of the memorial, emphasizing the importance of standing with victims’ families and opposing those who propagate terrorism.
The disruption orchestrated by Khalistani supporters at Queen’s Park in Canada underscores the persistent threat posed by extremist ideologies. Bordman recounted how the Khalistani groups scheduled their event deliberately to precede the memorial, aiming to disrupt and diminish the significance of the commemoration. Their actions, characterized by incitement and intimidation, are a stark reminder of the lengths to which extremists will go to propagate their agenda.
HAPPENING NOW: Khalistani terrorists sympathizers come to harass and disrupt a service arranged by the families of Air India flight 182. These sickos are like if Nazis came to a Holocaust memorial in “support” pic.twitter.com/YhqGTeHOE4
— Daniel Bordman (@DanielBordmanOG) June 23, 2024
“When it was announced that we were going to have a memorial at 12, the Khalistanis announced that they were going to have a memorial half an hour earlier at 11:30. And they were there to essentially disrupt and make a nuisance of things,” Bordman explained. This deliberate scheduling was not merely a coincidence but a calculated move to overshadow the memorial and create discord. The presence of Khalistani flags and the proximity of their setup to the memorial site further emphasized their intent to provoke and harass the attendees.
Bordman, along with other supporters, stood firm against these disruptive tactics. “When the Khalistanis came to disturb and interrupt that service, I felt it was important to stand up against them,” he stated, highlighting the necessity of opposing those who seek to perpetuate violence and terror. The confrontation was documented to inform law enforcement, ensuring that the disruptive actions did not go unnoticed or unchallenged.
"Get Out of Here:" Mourning family members of victims of the 1985 Air India bombing, Canada's deadliest terror attack, react to Khalistan separatists who came to "stand in solidarity" with them.
— Mocha Bezirgan 🇨🇦 (@BezirganMocha) June 24, 2024
Members of Sikhs for Justice, an organization whose leader previously made threats… pic.twitter.com/8HC3JV6cOr
The Khalistani protesters’ false claims of having a permit and their aggressive tactics reflect the broader strategy of extremist groups to inch closer to their goals through incremental provocations. “They wanted to set up basically as close to the memorial as they could and come in and really start pushing because that’s just one of the tactics that extremists use: sort of inch by inch by inch but closer, forcing conflict, and then harassing,” Bordman elaborated. Such actions are not just a nuisance but a direct threat to the principles of peace and respect that memorial events aim to uphold.
Canadian authorities have repeatedly chosen to look the other way when it comes to Khalistan extremism, creating a permissive environment that emboldens these fringe elements. This leniency not only undermines efforts to combat terrorism but also signals to extremists that their disruptive and aggressive tactics will go unchecked. By failing to take decisive action against such groups, the authorities inadvertently encourage the very ideologies that threaten the peace and security of Canadian society, allowing these dangerous movements to gain momentum and further their agendas with impunity.
Later the extremists were moved a significant distance away from the memorial site. This action was crucial in maintaining the sanctity of the event and ensuring that the victims’ families could honor their loved ones in peace. “We wouldn’t be intimidated. They backed off after their initial push and went to do their nonsense further away,” Bordman added, underscoring the importance of resilience in the face of extremist provocations.
Today, on the 39th anniversary of Air India Kanishka Bombing that took place on June 23, 1985.. Canadians (Hindus, Sikhs, Jews, Iranians, Chinese) gathered at the Queen’s Park Memorial in Toronto.
— Guneet Singh (@i_guneet) June 23, 2024
Everyone stood in solidarity to the victims denouncing terrorism and hate. pic.twitter.com/sJlNTO7QFV
The disruption at the Air India Kanishka bombing memorial by Khalistani extremists is a poignant reminder of the ongoing battle against terrorism and extremism. It is a call to action for all of us to stand in solidarity with the victims of terrorism and to unequivocally oppose those who seek to propagate violence and fear. The memory of the 329 innocent lives lost demands nothing less than our unwavering support for peace and our resolute opposition to extremism.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Khalsa Vox or its members.
