The Khalistan referendum, which is not legally binding, has been on a global tour since 2021, with more events planned to tap into separatist sentiments within the Sikh diaspora
The Khalistan referendum, a non-legally binding initiative, persists as Sikhs For Justice, a US-based group, conducts a second round of voting in Canada’s British Columbia on Sunday, November 5. Their goal is to gauge support for an independent Sikh state in India. CBC News reports that the second phase of the vote is being held at the Surrey, B.C., gurdwara, the very site where activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar tragically lost his life on June 18. It should be noted, however, that the results of this vote will not have legal implications in India.
Voting will occur at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, and all Sikhs aged 18 and above who haven’t cast their ballots on this matter are eligible to participate.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the group’s lawyer and spokesman, anticipates a substantial turnout, with “thousands” of voters expected due to the overwhelming response during the initial vote held in September.
The decision to conduct a second day of voting was prompted by the significant interest shown by the community. It is worth mentioning that the previous vote on September 10 took place just days before Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged “credible allegations” of a possible connection between the Indian government and Nijjar’s assassination
Pannun, speaking from Washington, D.C., while en route to Vancouver for this weekend’s vote, emphasized that the Sikh community strongly believes that their participation is crucial to prevent further acts of violence.
They have formed the belief that a lack of active involvement may lead to the continuation of such tragic incidents. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead, had been wanted by Indian authorities for alleged links to terrorism, including an accusation of an attack on a Hindu priest, which Nijjar had denied.
The Khalistan referendum, which is not legally binding, has been on a global tour since 2021, with more events planned to tap into separatist sentiments within the Sikh diaspora.
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