Govt has described so-called Khalistan referendum as a ‘farcical exercise held by extremists and radical elements’
New Delhi: In one of its sharpest comments on separatist activity in Canada directed against India, the Foreign Office said it found it “deeply objectionable” that a politically- motivated exercise by extremist elements are allowed to take place in a friendly country, a report in The Tribune, Chandigarh, says.
“You are all aware of the history of violence in this regard,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi here on Thursday, September 22, while describing the so-called Khalistan referendum as a “farcical exercise held by extremists and radical elements”.
The MEA’s response came after three diplomatic messages from the South Block saw little action by Ontario to stop the so-called “referendum” in Canada’s Brampton on September 19 asking whether Indian Punjab should not be a separate country.
Canada had reportedly said its citizens had the right to assemble and to express their views peacefully and lawfully.
The Canada Government has also said it respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India and that they will not recognise the so-called referendum.
But the MEA remained unsatisfied with the response. “Nevertheless the Government of India will continue to press the Government of Canada for action in this matter,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi here on Thursday.
Over 100,000 Canadian Sikhs took part in voting for the Khalistan Referendum in Brampton, Ontario, on 19 September which was organised by pro-Khalistani group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). Visuals on social media showed a huge number of men, women queueing up to vote in for Khalistan Referendum.
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