News Headlines
Following Trudeau's 'Tacit Support' At G20, Sikhs For Justice Announces Khalistan Referendum—In Canada
Khalistani radical Gurpantwant Singh Pannu.
The secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has announced a new date for the so-called Khalistan referendum in the town of Surrey, British Columbia in Canada. The referendum is now scheduled for 29 October.
This development follows recent statements made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre regarding pro-Khalistani activities.
"During the G20, PM Trudeau defended Canadian Sikhs' right to peacefully advocate for Khalistan," said SFJ's legal counsel Gurpatwant Pannun in a release on Thursday.
During his meeting with Trudeau on 10 September at the G20 Leaders' Summit in the national capital, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed New Delhi's "strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada."
However, speaking to the media in Delhi, Trudeau stated, "Diaspora Canadians make up a huge proportion of our country, and they should be able to express themselves and make their choices without interference from any of the many countries that we know are involved in interference challenges."
Meanwhile, Poilievre, during an appearance at the Punjabi Press Club in Surrey, expressed his view, saying, "Personally, I believe in a united India like I believe in a united Canada. But I believe people also have the freedom to disagree."
He added, "You can express any opinion, even opinions I don't agree with, and those opinions have to be expressed peacefully, but they can be freely expressed."
SFJ conducted another round of the referendum in Surrey on Sunday. The voting center was the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, the same gurdwara previously led by SFJ's principal figure in the province, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, before he was fatally shot by unidentified assailants on 18 June in the parking lot.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest
