Canada has heightened security measures for Air India flights in response to a video message posted by the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). In the video, SFJ's general counsel, Gurpatwant Pannun, cautioned Sikhs not to fly Air India after November 19, raising concerns about passengers' safety. Pannun later clarified that he was calling for a boycott, not issuing a threat.
Canada's Minister of Transport, Pablo Rodriguez, stated that the Canadian government takes any aviation threat seriously and is investigating the recent online threats. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is also conducting an investigation into the matter.
India's High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, described Pannun's statement as having "serious criminal intent" and urged Canada to take it seriously. However, Pannun denied any intent of violence in the video and insisted that he was merely calling for a boycott.
Air India operates several weekly direct flights between Canadian cities (Toronto and Vancouver) and New Delhi.
The incident has raised concerns due to similarities with the 1985 bombing of Air India flight 182, perpetrated by Khalistani terrorists, which remains Canada's worst terrorist attack, resulting in 329 fatalities. Talwinder Singh Parmar, considered the mastermind of the attack, continues to be venerated by extremist groups in Canada, despite the day being commemorated as the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism.
