Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a pro-Khalistan advocacy group, has called for the suspension of Air India’s operations in Canada. This demand follows revelations by former CIA operative John Kiriakou, who implicated the Indian government in the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182, also known as the Kanishka bombing.
Kiriakou stated bluntly that “India blew up a 747, no less,” referring to the tragic incident that claimed 329 lives, most of whom were Canadian citizens. This remains the deadliest aviation attack in Canadian history. SFJ’s general counsel, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, emphasized that for four decades, Canadians were led to believe that Khalistan supporters were responsible. However, Kiriakou’s disclosures align with SFJ’s long-standing claims since 2010 about the Indian government’s involvement.
SFJ highlights that the Indian government’s role has been systematically concealed, pointing to inconsistencies in the John Major Commission’s findings. The commission notably expelled Indian diplomats Surinder Malik, Brij Mohan Lal, and Davinder Ahluwalia, who were identified as suspected masterminds behind the attack.
Describing the bombing as a national tragedy for Canada, Pannun stressed that despite the loss of 329 lives, the Indian government’s role has never been thoroughly investigated. He questioned why Air India continues to operate freely in Canada despite these serious allegations.
SFJ argues that allowing Air India to maintain its presence in Canada perpetuates a normalization of the tragedy and obstructs accountability for what they assert is the Indian government’s responsibility. Pannun remarked that Air India is more than just an airline; it symbolizes an unresolved mass killing of Canadian citizens.
Until the Indian government is held accountable, SFJ insists that Air India’s operations in Canada must be halted. To advance this campaign, SFJ has organized a picket scheduled for April 12, 2026, targeting Air India Flight AI 186, which flies from Vancouver to Delhi.
Pannun explained that this protest aims to challenge decades of misinformation, where Indo-Canadian Hindu organizations and certain media outlets have diverted attention away from the Indian government’s alleged involvement. With the recent statement from the CIA whistleblower confirming “India blew up a 747,” SFJ believes the truth can no longer be ignored.
He concluded by stating that every Air India flight departing from Canada reopens the wounds of the 329 families affected. He urged Canadians to choose truth over silence by supporting the shutdown of Air India’s operations in the country.
