Khalistan referendum: India asks Canada to stop anti-India activities on November 6, urges them to designate as terrorist

Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has proposed a referendum on November 6 in Mississauga, near Toronto.

India has reiterated its concern over some forces planning the so-called Khalistan referendum in Canada on 6 November and called for an end to anti-India activities by individuals and groups.

Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has proposed a referendum on November 6 in Mississauga, near Toronto.

India has also urged Canada to designate as terrorists those individuals and entities that have been designated as terrorists under Indian laws.

When asked about the issue of so-called Khalistan referendum in Canada, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "I think we have clarified our position a couple of times. Our position on the efforts of anti-India elements The so-called Khalistan is well known for holding referendums. This has been conveyed to the Canadian government both in New Delhi and in Canada."

The Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that the Canadian government has conveyed to India that Canada will not recognize the objectionable 'Khalistan' referendum organized by the banned Sikh for Justice (SFJ) on November 6 in Ontario.

"The Canadian government has informed that they respect India's sovereignty and will not recognize ('Khalistan') the referendum," Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam said during the weekly press briefing.

“The High Commissioner of Canada and his Deputy Foreign Minister here reiterated this view in separate statements earlier this week. However, I also reiterate what I said earlier, which we find extremely objectionable that extremist elements Politically motivated exercise is allowed by

“We will continue to pressure the Government of Canada on this matter. We ask them to stop anti-India activities by individuals and groups based in our country and to designate individuals and entities designated as terrorists under their laws , who have been declared as terrorists under our laws," the foreign ministry official said.

The first such exercise was held in Brampton on 18 September, in which over 100,000 Canadian Sikhs participated in voting for the Khalistan referendum, organized by the pro-Khalistan group SFJ. Visuals on social media showed a large number of men and women queuing up to vote for the Khalistan referendum.

On 23 September, the Indian government issued an advisory to Indian citizens and students in Canada following a sharp increase in incidents of hate crimes, communal violence and anti-India activities.

"There has been a sharp increase in incidents of hate crimes, sectarian violence and anti-India activities in Canada," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. The Ministry of External Affairs and our High Commission/Consulate in Canada took up these incidents with the Canadian authorities. and requested them to investigate the above offenses and take appropriate action. The perpetrators of these crimes have not yet been brought to justice in Canada."

Indian citizens and students of India in Canada and those visiting Canada for travel/education are advised to exercise caution and remain vigilant, it was further added.

SFJ was banned in India in 2019 as an unlawful association. As part of its separatist agenda, the SJF campaigns for a Punjab independence referendum to create a separate Khalistan.

The Khalistan referendum is a demand for a separate country from Punjab. As reported by Firstpost, "Once there is a consensus among the Punjabi people that there is a desire for independence from India, we [Sikhs for Justice] will unite with the goal of re-establishing Punjab as a nation state." nations and other international forms and bodies." Citing the Referendum 2020 website.