Over 55,000 Canadian Sikhs participated in the Calgary Khalistan Referendum at the Municipal Plaza voting centre, dedicated to nine pro-Khalistan Canadian Sikhs assassinated by the Indian army in armed conflict.
The first vote was cast by the family of Shaheed Dilawar Singh Babbar Jai, who assassinated Punjab’s chief minister Beant Singh in August 1995. Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s family traveled from Surrey, British Columbia, to show their support.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the New York attorney and founder of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), addressed the enthusiastic crowd, pledging to intensify the Khalistan Referendum campaign on 15 August Independence Day from Red Fort to Ranchi.
Global Referendum Campaign
Pannun stated that the SFJ, through its global referendum campaign, has armed every Sikh household with a “powerful bomb that will only explode during Khalistan Referendum voting to liberate Punjab from Indian occupation”.
“The choice is yours: either kill your enemy or dismantle the Indian system,” Pannun urged the roaring crowd. “SFJ’s weapon is the vote, while Modi’s regime uses violence to halt the Khalistan Referendum. Pro-Khalistan Sikhs are not retaliating with violence but aim to dismantle the Indian system responsible for the genocide of Sikhs and the destruction of Punjab’s economy. In 1929, Shaheed Bhagat Singh bombarded the Indian legislative assembly to liberate India from British rule.”
Shaking India’s Foundations
Pannun declared that the Khalistan Referendum campaign has shaken India’s foundations. He expects the Canadian government to prosecute Indian diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, for planning and killing Shaheed Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Sikh community will hold Verma accountable under Khalsa justice.
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After Pannun’s speech, the Punjab Referendum Commission (PRC) head announced that the next phase of the Khalistan Referendum will be held in New Zealand in a few months.
Sikh Martyrs Honored
Thousands of Sikhs queued from 4 am at Calgary’s Municipal Plaza to vote for an independent Khalistan. The nine Canadian Sikhs assassinated by India for their political beliefs were: Shaheed Lakhbir Singh Rode, Shaheed Bhupinder Singh Kooner, Shaheed Harjinder Singh Para, Shaheed Talwinder Singh Parmar, Shaheed Surinder Singh Shinder Commando, Shaheed Balbir Singh Khaira, Shaheed Jathedar Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Shaheed Mohinder Singh Kooner, and Shaheed Surinder Singh Ravi.
Participants carried flags of Khalistan, and the road outside was adorned with large posters of Sikh martyrs revered by Sikhs worldwide. The banners featured Sikh heroes, paying tribute to their sacrifice.
Echoes of Freedom
Throughout the day, Calgary’s town hall resounded with slogans like “Khalistan Zindabad,” “Punjab banay ga Khalistan,” “Delhi banay ga Khalistan,” “Rajasthan banay ga Khalistan,” “Modi, stop terrorism against Sikhs,” and “India is a terrorist state.” Sikhs reaffirmed their commitment to the principles set by their Gurus and the examples of Sikh freedom fighters, including Hardeep Singh Nijjar, assassinated last year by Indian agents in Surrey.
Veteran Khalistani leader and President of the Council of Khalistan, Dr. Bakhshish Singh Sandhu, expressed amazement at the turnout. “The queue stretched nearly four kilometers, showcasing the Sikh community’s desire for freedom from India.”
Voting Phases
All voting phases in the Khalistan Referendum are overseen by non-aligned direct democracy experts from the Punjab Referendum Commission (PRC). The process, from registration to ballot box supervision and sealing, is managed by the Commission’s approved third-party staff to ensure transparency. The PRC is conducting the voting on the question, “Should Indian Governed Punjab Be An Independent Country?” with options “Yes” and “No”.
Read More: Massive Turnout for Khalistan Referendum Voting in Calgary
The Khalistan Referendum voting began on October 31, 2021, in London, UK, and has since been held in several countries and cities, including the UK; Geneva, Switzerland; Rome and Milan, Italy; Australian cities of Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney; American cities of San Francisco and Sacramento; and Canadian cities of Brampton, Mississauga, Malton, Surrey, Vancouver, and now Calgary.
This article was received directly from the reporter.