Canada has officially informed India about the heightened security measures in place for Air India flights operating to and from Canadian airports. This response comes after a video surfaced on Saturday, posted by the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). In the video, SFJ’s general counsel, Gurpatwant Pannun, issued a warning in Punjabi, stating, “Don’t fly Air India after November 19; your lives may be in danger.” This alarming message was repeated twice in the video, accompanied by a call for a ‘Global blockade’ of the airline from Vancouver to London.
While Pannun clarified in a statement on Thursday that he was “calling for a boycott” and not issuing a threat, the Canadian government, in coordination with law enforcement, is taking the matter seriously. Canada’s Minister of Transport, Pablo Rodriguez’s spokesperson, stated, “Our government takes any threat to aviation extremely seriously. We are investigating recent threats circulating online closely and with our security partners.”
Confirming Canada’s response to India’s request for enhanced security, a senior Indian official highlighted the gravity of Pannun’s statement. India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, emphasized that Pannun’s statement reflected “serious criminal intent, punishable in all legal jurisdictions” and urged Canada to acknowledge the severity of the situation.
However, Pannun maintained that the video did not intend any violence, stating, “There is no threat.” He acknowledged the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) right to investigate a terror threat and argued that if calling for a boycott is considered a form of civil disobedience or a movement, then let the investigation proceed.
The developments underscore the delicate situation, with Canada actively responding to India’s concerns while the SFJ contends the nature of its message. As investigations unfold, the incident highlights the challenges in balancing free expression with security considerations.
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