Questioned Over Khalistan Links, AAP Punjab Leader Sukhpal Khaira Denies Backing Sikh Referendum

While Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal continues his protest in the Delhi Lieutenant Governor’s office, his party’s leader in Punjab has been accused of links to Khalistani elements.

Punjab’s leader of opposition in the state’s assembly and AAP leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira was yesterday (16 June) questioned by Punjab CM Amarinder Singh over his alleged backing of a separatist referendum in 2020.

The ‘Referendum 2020’ being talked about is backed by Khalistani elements with the aim of carving up a separate Khalistan from India.

The Punjab CM slammed Khaira for milking the separatist agenda for political purposes without any knowledge of Punjab’s history and the consequences of such an action.

While Khaira denied backing the referendum and reaffirmed his allegiance to the Indian constitution, he said that the government must look into why there was a rise in demand for such a referendum.

"Why is there a demand for the Referendum? It is because the government of India always held an anti-Sikh attitude. Demands are in response to a policy of discrimination. I request the government to work on their mistakes and ensure that the Sikh community feels secure in the country," he was quoted as saying by ANI.