Over 135,000 Canadian Sikhs turned out to cast their votes in the Khalistan Referendum, organized by the US-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) group.
The referendum aims to secure the creation of Khalistan, a sovereign homeland for Sikhs worldwide.
The voting, held at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, witnessed a turnout that shattered all previous records, leaving a profound impact on the international Sikh community.
The Khalistan Referendum campaign, initiated in October 2021 in the UK, has already seen voting take place in more than a dozen European capitals. However, the Surrey event marked a significant milestone in the movement, attracting Sikhs from across Canada to exercise their democratic right.
The independent Punjab Referendum Commission (PRC) managed the voting process, with hundreds of staff ensuring its smooth operation. Unfortunately, the immense turnout forced the PRC to close the voting at 5 PM, leaving over 40,000 Sikhs still waiting in line. In response to this, the PRC has announced a follow-up voting phase scheduled for October 29th in Vancouver.
The choice of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara as the voting location held particular significance, as it was the same site where prominent Sikh activist and Khalistan Referendum Canada's President, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was assassinated on June 18, 2023, by unknown assailants. Pro-Khalistan Sikh groups have accused the Indian government of involvement in Nijjar's killing, spurring deep emotions and passionate demonstrations among voters. The Gurdwara was adorned with large posters of Nijjar, who had also served as its president until his tragic death.
Addressing the gathering at the end of the voting process, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) General Counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun expressed his outrage over Nijjar's assassination, placing blame squarely on the Indian government. Pannun vowed to seek justice through political means and emphasized that Sikhs would not relent in their pursuit of Khalistan. He stated, "Sikhs will stop at nothing less than the Balkanisation of India."
Dr. Bakhshish Singh Sandhu, President of the Council of Khalistan, highlighted the determination of Canadian Sikhs, stating that the massive turnout demonstrated the widespread demand for Khalistan among Sikhs worldwide.
The Khalistan movement has garnered international attention, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau openly addressing concerns of Indian interference in Canadian affairs during his visit to India for the G20 Summit. Trudeau's government has accused the Indian government of "foreign interference" based on Canadian intelligence reports. Trudeau emphasized the importance of safeguarding Canadians from all forms of external influence, extending scrutiny beyond just China.
Canada is home to a significant Sikh population, estimated at over 750,000, making it the largest Sikh diaspora community outside of India. Sikh groups claim the actual number to be over one million, as Sikhs have sought refuge in Canada to escape persecution in their homeland.
The Khalistan Referendum, initiated in the UK in 2021, was a response to the traumatic events of Operation Blue Star in 1984 when the Indian army stormed the holiest Sikh shrine, the Golden Temple.
The operation resulted in the loss of innocent Sikh lives and a profound disrespect for Sikh sentiments.
In the face of continued persecution and extrajudicial killings by the Indian government, Sikh diaspora groups like Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) have organized referendums, protests, and advocacy efforts to assert their rights and demand justice.
The Punjab Referendum Commission (PRC) was established to facilitate fair voting for this fundamental demand, with the recent Surrey event marking a historic milestone in their ongoing struggle.
