Canada Judge rules Air India defendants not guilty

http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=43339
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-news/2461-canada-judge-rules-air-india-defendants.html

Vancouver, British Columbia, March 16: A Canadian judge cleared two Sikh militants on Wednesday of involvement in the 1985 downing of an Air India flight off the Irish coast, history's deadliest bombing of a civilian airliner, ruling the testimony against them was not credible.
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And this verdict has caused extremely mixed reaction within sikh and non-sikh community. Not to forget this case ran for 20 years costing $100 million to the nation!

All the evidence was placed before the judge and he made the call...

I support it, they were probably innocent.

I was looking at some of the hatred filled comments at http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=43339&headline=Kanishka:~Victims'~kin~weep,~accused~smil e
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=2461

Anyway, irrespective of those comments, I feel, it is a concern to find out
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=2461
1. who is guilty then?
2. how much damage has already been caused (to sikhs by continuous calling them militants/terrorists) by the speculations by reporters of leading newspapers?

Even if crown decides to go for a public enquiry, PM Anne or Harper dont seem to be much inclined towards that. Looking at the human loss in the tragedy 20 yrs ago, it is important to probe - Who is guilty then? Bring the actual guilty in front of people to provide justice to the grieved souls.

Instead of making this a celebration issue, I find it more important that governments should work to bring actual culprits in front of people. On the other thought, it comes - Justice delayed is justice denied! - as good as raising concen over Canadian Judiciary System, which may not be fair.

Well, these two were known militants, and they were terrorists at one time.

There's no doubting that. Just look at their historical record. Bagri and Malik, both participated in Sikh militant organizations, and Bagri even publicily spoke terroristic phrases.

You can't dodge that, they caused their own harm as well as the Sikh Communities harm.

Were they the same militants/terrorists who blew up the Air India Plane?
Apparently not, they should be let free.

Damage they caused to other Sikhs out there should be a reminder to everyone before they go publicily and speak of hate-filled comments towards other innocent people.

Other than that, it is something we should celebrate. Bagri is Khalsa and his entire family is also Khalsay, he was being charged for a crime he didnt commit, and was vindicated. Otherwise an innocent Khalsa would have been sacrificed just so the victims can be pacified and think "justice" was served.

Some people are stuck up at his emotionally charged video, in which he angrily says to kill 50000 hindus. But I take that as a charged moment, during his phase 20 yrs ago!
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=2461

I agree, so important it is to talk, write or speak publicly.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=2461

Perhaps his initiatives about Khalsa Credit Union, Khalsa schools, and his self-made success contributed to many forces standing against him.

S|kH wrtes:-Sikh,

I am shocked to hear the above comments from a person like you whose posts are very well thought except the above. I take issue with your impulsive thoughtless comment.

Ripudaman Singh Malik is my brother. He has never been a terrorist nor a militant of any kind. I am in Vancouver and came here for this purpose only. He is NOT a terrorist nor any kind of militant. He is a GOD LOVER like you and me. He has done a lot of good in the sikh community.

He founded Khalsa Credit Union - a very first lending institution for the sikh commuinty which has 6 branches now.

He also founded Khalsa School- the only sikh school in BC. I hv no idea if there is any other sikh school in Canada o the east coast. Arvind Veerji may know about it if there is. It has 1230 students which is its max capacity.

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=2461
His Satnam Trust offers Gurmat Camps for free in Canada and also in California.

All the above are not for his personal gain. He has invested his own money on all the above but the profits are not his. They belong to the respective institutions not to Ripudaman nor to anyone else.

His only personal business with which he feeds his family with is Clothing business in which he is very successful.

The above is not to defend him.A GOD LOVER needs no defence, but just some info for you and for those who had no idea about this.

Now is the time and the oppurtunity for the Indian govt- you should read 'Soft Target',a book written by 2 canadian journalists who wrote about Air India disaster- and the Canadian govt to come clean in who the real culprits are. We sould never forget that 300 some innocent lives were lost including some sikhs. The victims families need some answer about this so they can put closure to this. We should never forget that this was a horrible terrorist act and the culprits should be caught and punished accoridingly. The real culprits, not the innocents as these 2 are.

This just decision is a very positive thing for the Sikh Community all around the world. It shows to all the turban wearing sikhs are NOT terrorists. They Believe in IK ONG KAAR and this kind of atrocity is not a SIKHI way.

Tejwant

Vaheguruseeker, sorry that you took offense to my comments.

I said at one time they were terrorists...one man's terrorists is another's freedom fighter.

"Malik belongs to Babbar Khalsa"....If you are going to tell me that Babbar Khalsa in their history NEVER committed ONE terrorist act, than your the one thats being "thoughtless". Yes, Babbar Khalsa the group's intent was very good, to create Self-determination for Sikhs and equal rights, BUT THEY DID COMMIT ATTACKS AGAINST INNOCENTS which had NOTHING to do with their cause. But, this does not mean that Malik WAS a terrorist. That's my fault for inferring that, and I apologize. I was referring to Bagri's statements when I had said that the accused once shared terrorist sentiments.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=2461

Bagri even publicily made terrorist threats to innocent hindus. Bagri took roles in Militant Sikh Groups which took up arms in certain scenarios and innocents were hurt. Now, mind you, I never said I had ANYTHING against them, or the group which they took part in. When I said "and terrorists" I was referring to Bagri and his claim to kill 50,000 hindus in a few days. I did not know of Maliks past beyond that he had taken part in Babbar Khalsa.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=2461


Never did I once say, that your brother was actually part of the TERRORIST ACTIVITY COMMITTED. Thats why I said, they were vindicated, so obviously it wasn't these two that had committed the horrendous terrorist acts, and I was very glad for it.

I was very happy when they were acquitted, but that does not change their past. Either what groups they took part in, OR what they had publicly spoke. You can not erase the past. I know they are good Khalsay, and obviously they did not commit those horrendous attacks on Air India, and thats why I am glad that they are still alive.

The error was mostly in part of how I typed it. I'm dearly sorry if you took it the wrong way. The meaning was to say that Bagri had spoke ridiculous statements back in the day and took part in a militant group, whereas Malik only seems to have been part of Babbar Khalsa. The rest of my post that you quoted only highlights Bagri's idiocy. I am sorry if you inferred it as a comment towards your brother, I had only read about Bagris past, and not Maliks.

Sikh,

Once again you are wrong. fyi Malik doesnot belong to Babbar Khalsa. He never did. If I were you, I would check my sources before jumping to any conclusion. You are intelligent enough to do that. I have no idea where you get your info from but I must say that your sources are not putting you in good light of a thoughtful person as you are.

Yes, he was a friend of Parmar's, the founder of Babbar Khalsa and is also Bagri's friend but he has never been involved nor been or is the memeber of any group.

So I would say it is naivete on your part to paint everything in broad brush strokes without checking the canvas.

Tejwant