Khalistan Referendum Breaks Records: 15,000 Votes in 2 Hours

Over 15,000 Canadian Sikhs set a remarkable record by voting in the Khalistan Referendum within the first two hours at Canada’s largest Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara. Notably, this same Gurdwara was where Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the leader of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) Canada, was assassinated earlier in the year. Despite the frigid British Columbia temperatures, a determined crowd braved the cold, forming queues that stretched up to two kilometers. The Canadian Prime Minister has accused the Indian government of involvement in Nijjar’s assassination, which occurred at this very Gurdwara.

Sikhs for Justice, a U.S.-based organization, is overseeing this unofficial referendum’s second round of voting in British Columbia, aimed at establishing an independent Sikh state in India. Voting is open to all Sikhs aged 18 and over, and it will continue until 5 PM. Organizers anticipate a substantial turnout, especially after the immense response to the first vote in September, which necessitated a second day of voting.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the SFJ General Counsel and spokesman, noted that Canada’s allegations regarding India’s connection to Nijjar’s assassination have boosted support for the Khalistan movement, as the community fears that such violence will persist if they do not turn out in large numbers.

It’s essential to highlight that the previous vote in September occurred shortly after Nijjar’s murder, but at that time, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had not publicly acknowledged “credible allegations” of a potential link between the Indian government and Nijjar’s murder. Prominent banners both inside and outside the Gurdwara displayed images of “Enemies of Canada,” including Indian PM Narendra Modi, Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, and Sanjay Verma, India’s High Commissioner to Canada.