LONDON/TORONTO: As the secessionist organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) announced intentions to host Phase II of the Khalistan Referendum on November 6 in Toronto to accommodate those who were unable to vote on September 18, relations between Canada and India are likely to worsen.
More than 110,000 Sikhs cast ballots on September 18 in a record-breaking turnout, according to SFJ, albeit thousands were left out because voting concluded at 5 o’clock. The group said that the event’s organisers were unable to accommodate the over 40,000 Sikhs who were still in line.
According to SFJ’s general counsel and New York-based attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the decision to hold the second part was based on the fervent demand of the nearby Sikh community.
On September 18, the Canadian Sikh community created history by mobilising in support of Khalistan in large numbers. On November 6, they will do the same, according to Pannun.
India and Canada have been at open battle since the referendum campaign began, so the second round of voting will put their diplomatic ties to the test. Both nations warned their respective nationals not to travel to the other after the first referendum in Brampton.
Due to the “presence of landmines” and the “unpredictable security situation,” the government of PM Trudeau recommended its nationals to stay away from all travel to regions in the Pakistan-bordering states of Gujarat, Punjab, and Rajasthan.
Due to the “potential of terrorist strikes throughout the country,” the Canadian government encouraged its people to travel to India with extreme caution in a travel advisory posted on its website.
Additionally, it advises against visiting Assam and Manipur unless absolutely necessary “because to the risk of terrorism and insurgency.”
