Thousands gathered in Calgary to participate in the Khalistan Referendum, a non-binding vote on whether Punjab, currently governed by India, should become independent.
Organized by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), the event took place across from the U.S. diplomatic mission in Calgary’s Municipal Plaza. This referendum aimed to gather opinions from Sikhs in Alberta, home to nearly 100,000 Sikhs and part of a larger Sikh population in Canada exceeding one million.
The day commenced with Sikh prayers led by leaders from the Gurdwara Dashmesh Culture Centre. A significant turnout saw queues forming early, with participants ranging from children to the elderly.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s family, surrounded by influential Khalistan advocates, were among the first to vote. The SFJ leader dedicated the Calgary voting to nine Canadian Sikhs, perceived as martyrs by the community, who India allegedly assassinated for supporting Khalistan.
Participants, many carrying Khalistan flags, also paid tribute to these figures through large posters displayed near the city hall.
Dr. Bakhshish Singh Sandhu, President of the Council of Khalistan, asserted at the outset that the Sikh community in Calgary was setting a new democratic standard. He criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s alleged campaigns against Sikhs abroad, labelling them as transnational terrorism needing global sanctions.
The Punjab Referendum Commission (PRC) oversaw all phases of the referendum, ensuring transparency by employing third-party staff for registration, ballot supervision, and sealing at the end of the day.
