Khalistan referendum: Over 2 lakh cast vote on ‘Sikh independence’ in Canada
Vancouver Sun, people voted in Surrey on Sunday. It was the second referendum on Khalistan held by Surrey Gurdwara where pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead in June. Also, the US-based group Sikhs For Justice held a second round of voting in British Columbia for its unofficial referendum to create an independent Sikh state, CBC news reported.
In the latest round of voting over the demand for Khalistan, roughly 65,000 people had arrived in Surrey to register their votes. Also read: India-Canada row: Indian High Commissioner speaks on visa suspensions, says ‘Situation still not ideal…' The first voting for the Khalistan referendum was organised on September 10 in British Columbia but remained incomplete. Referendum co-organizer Gurpatwant Singh Pannun told media that they are planning more voting on the Khalistan referendum in Abbotsford, Edmonton, Calgary, and Montreal in 2024.
India and Canada's ties hit rock bottom last month when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged a potential link of Indian officials in the killing of Nijjar in June. India had rejected the allegations as "absurd and motivated". India had also asked Canada to come down hard on terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil and suspended visa services for Canadians.
However, last week India resumed some visa services in the country, saying the move was a "good sign" after "an anxious time" for many Canadians. Also read: India-Canada row: Canadian diplomats in Punjab, Chandigarh granting visas to Khalistani supporters, says report India resumed services for entry, business, medical, and conference visas on 26 October. The Indian easing of the visa ban came days after Canada said it was recalling 41 of its 62
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