Sagarika Mitra, Content Head of JAN KI BAAT delves into the profile of Ajaib Singh Bagri and tells you how Canada is protecting him.
On the 26th of September, Puneet Sahani, an authority on the evolution of Sikh identity and the history of Khalistan terrorism, shared a video on X (formerly twitter), that sent shockwaves through social media platforms. The video captured a chilling scene at a failed Khalistan Referendum event in Canada, orchestrated by the outlawed outfit Sikhs For Justice. In the footage, notorious terrorist and Chief of Sikhs For Justice, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, stands alongside an elderly woman and an older Sikh man.
However, it was the identities of these two individuals that struck a raw nerve. The woman, captured in the video, was identified as Surinder Kaur, the wife of Talwinder Singh Parmar, the mastermind behind the Air India Flight 182 bombing. The man beside her, as stated by Puneet Sahani, was none other than Bagri. They shouted ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ 6 times and exalted the mass murderer and the mastermind of Kanishka Bombing – Talwinder Singh Parmar. Many social media users asked – Is this the same Ajaib Singh Bagri?
While this journalist hasn’t independently verified if the man seen in the video is Ajaib Singh Bagri, it’s important to tell you who he is and how Canada for years has been a safe haven for a man with such a chequered and dubious history linked to terrorism.
#Khalistan Referendum.
Old lady is mum of Talwinder Parmar, whom multiple Cdn inquiries called mastermind of AirIndia bοmbing.
Next to her is Bagri who put bοmbs on plane & next to him is #Pannu.
All people shout Long Live Parmar!
FoS @JustinTrudeau, right?pic.twitter.com/UFUSgJuPGi— Puneet Sahani (@puneet_sahani) September 26, 2023
Who is Ajaib Singh Bagri?
For those unfamiliar with the painful history, Ajaib Singh Bagri’s name is synonymous with one of the darkest chapters in Canadian history—the Air India bombing of 1985. This heinous act resulted in the loss of 329 innocent lives, making it the worst act of terror on Canadian soil. Bagri, who was arrested in connection with the bombing, faced trial.
What was particularly shocking about Bagri’s presence in this video was not just his identity but his brazen actions. Puneet Sahani’s tweet accompanying the video spoke volumes: ‘he was the one who put bombs on the plane and conceded through his lawyers that Talwinder Singh Parmar orchestrated the bombing. Yet here he’s shouting Long Live Parmar’
Ajaib Singh Bagri’s history:
Ajaib Singh Bagri’s life journey paints a disturbing picture of terrorism, violence, and a deeply controversial ideology. Born in India, he would later become one of the central figures in the radical Sikh separatist movement, particularly advocating for Khalistan. His association with the notorious Air India bombing remains a dark stain on his life
It was at the founding convention of the World Sikh Organization (WSO) in 1984, held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where Bagri made his extremist anti India, anti Hindu views abundantly clear. In that speech, he shockingly declared, ‘Until we kill 50,000 Hindus, we will not rest!’ This statement set the stage for a trajectory marked by violence and radicalism. He followed his genocidal call by saying ‘Take young men with you, raze Delhi to the ground? Attack India demolish it to dust, we will get Khalistan for sure but first let’s get our revenge’. The infuriated crowd then shouted: ‘Hindu dogs! Death to them! Indira b*tch! Death to her!’
The Air India bombing of 1985, for which Bagri was arrested and tried, remains etched in Canadian memory as a horrific tragedy. His alleged involvement in planning and executing this act of terrorism sent shockwaves throughout Canada. Bagri, alongside Ripudaman Singh Malik, faced charges related to this event, including conspiring to kiII over 300 individuals. But Ajaib Singh Bagri was acquitted in 2005 of mass murder and conspiracy charges. It is important to note here that multiple witnesses in the Kanishka Bombing case were murdered during the course of the trial in Canada.
What is particularly troubling about Ajaib Singh Bagri’s recent actions, as witnessed in the video from the failed Khalistan Referendum event, is his unwavering support for the mastermind of the Air India bombing, Talwinder Singh Parmar. Despite the devastating loss of 329 innocent lives, Bagri publicly and openly exalts Parmar and continues to back the violent Khalistani ideology.
Ajaib Bagri & Tara Singh Hayer: Why was journalist Hayer killed?
Tara Singh Hayer, born on November 15, 1936, was more than just a journalist. He was a staunch advocate of free speech and fearless reporting. In particular, he gained prominence as a key witness in the trial of the Air India Flight 182 bombing.
Hayer’s courage shone through when, in 1988, he began to write editorials in his newspaper, the Indo-Canadian Times. These editorials were based on a chilling encounter he had while visiting a friend in London, England, months after the Air India bombing.
Hayer’s Revelation on Ajaib Singh Bagri:
In April 1988, Hayer first publicly named Ajaib Singh Bagri in his publication. He wrote, ‘If you remember the Air India flight that blew up in midair, the police connected to this could be keeping an eye on Bagri.’ In July of the same year, he referred to both Bagri and Talwinder Singh Parmar as having a hand in this horrific act. His August edition went even further, providing more specificity regarding Bagri’s involvement.
Hayer’s detailed reporting recounted how, in 1985, in England, Bagri had openly discussed his participation in the bombing of the Air India airplane. He stayed in conversation with Tarsem Singh Purewal, the editor of the Punjabi-language newspaper Des Pardes, for about an hour. During this conversation, the subject of the Air India Flight 182 bombing emerged.
What did Hayer reveal about Bagri?
In this harrowing conversation, Bagri shared gruesome details of the plot. He revealed that the Babbar Khalsa, the terrorist group he was associated with, aimed to bring the government of India to its knees and obtain Khalistan. Bagri recounted how the initial plan had been to detonate the bomb at Heathrow airport with no passengers on board. However, due to a delay of half an hour or three-quarters of an hour, the flight ended up exploding over the ocean.
Moreover, Bagri disclosed how Surjan Singh Gill, the intended carrier of the bomb to the airport, had gotten cold feet and resigned from the Babbar Khalsa upon seeing the device. In response, Bagri had even suggested killing Gill, but Parmar vetoed the idea to avoid suspicion.
Why was Tara Singh Hayer killed?
In 1988, 3 years after Kanishka Bombing, attempts were made to made murder Tara Singh and Ajaib Bagri was a prime suspect. 10 years later, in 1998, Tara Singh Hayer was killed. The murder a reminder of the lengths to which those promoting violent ideologies will go to silence their critics. Hayer’s courageous reporting on Ajaib Singh Bagri’s involvement in the Air India bombing ultimately led to his own demise.
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