Sikhs for Justice, previously led by Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada until his assassination in 2023, is set to conduct a referendum in Ottawa on Sunday to advocate for an independent Sikh Punjab, referred to as “Khalistan” by Sikh nationalists. This event coincides with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s planned meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit in South Africa on the same day.
The non-binding referendum marks the seventh such vote organized by the group in Canada since September 2022. The first vote took place in Brampton, Ont., closely followed by a travel advisory issued by India warning of an increase in “hate crimes, sectarian violence, and anti-India activities” in Canada, urging Indian nationals in the country to remain vigilant.
Subsequent rounds of voting were held in Surrey, B.C., with claimed turnouts of 200,000 participants. Additional rounds were carried out in Mississauga, Ont., and Calgary in 2024, although the actual attendance figures have not been independently verified by CBC News.
While Ottawa has a smaller Sikh community compared to Toronto and Vancouver, organizers anticipate individuals from Montreal and other regions traveling to Ottawa to participate in the referendum.
The Indian government has previously criticized the referendum movement as a challenge to its sovereignty. However, in response to inquiries from CBC News, the Indian High Commission maintained a neutral stance on the upcoming event, emphasizing that “This is a referendum by Canadians in Canada, and the High Commission has no comments to offer on this matter.”
Inderjeet Singh Gosal now leads the Canadian chapter of Sikhs for Justice following Nijjar’s death. Gosal, who has received threats to his life, faces firearms charges after being arrested in September by the Ontario Provincial Police. Although charges against two other activists were dropped, Gosal’s charges persist, and he is currently out on bail, expected to attend the referendum.
Gosal, who succeeded Nijjar, has been cautioned by the RCMP about credible threats to his safety. Despite declining protection that would require him to halt his political pursuits, Gosal stated that security measures have been implemented to safeguard the referendum, which will commence with voting at the McNabb Arena and Community Centre and conclude with a remembrance of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Expressing concerns about the Canadian government’s decision to normalize diplomatic relations with India, Gosal criticized the ongoing violence within the Sikh community. He highlighted the Mounties’ warning regarding the activities of Indian diplomats in Canada and stressed that the situation has not improved, noting increased threats.
Gosal’s remarks underline the continued challenges faced by the Sikh community, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing vigilance and security measures to ensure the safety of participants in the referendum.
[Source](https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/sikhs-for-justice-referendum-ottawa-9.6988663)