TLDR:
Thousands vote in Khalistan referendum
India accused of Sikh oppression
Next vote set for Los Angeles
AUCKLAND (The Thursday Times) — Over 37,000 Sikhs gathered in Auckland, New Zealand, today to cast their votes in a referendum seeking the creation of Khalistan, an independent Sikh state within India. Held in Auckland’s Aotea Square, the event saw thousands of Sikhs exercise what they view as a peaceful right to self-determination, despite opposition from Indian authorities. This grassroots movement marks the latest step in the Khalistan referendum series, led by the Council of Khalistan and overseen by the independent Punjab Referendum Commission (PRC), aimed at achieving a separate homeland for Sikhs.
نیوزی لینڈ میں خالصتان کی آزادی کیلئے ہونیوالے ریفرنڈم میں بھارتی پنجاب بنے گا خالصتان اور دہلی بنے کا خالصتان کے نعرے۔
— The Thursday Times (@thursdaytimes.com) 17 November 2024 at 13:50
At the forefront of this referendum push is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, counsel general of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), an organisation advocating for Khalistan. Pannun voiced his concerns over Indian state repression of Sikhs, accusing India of responding with “bullets to ballots.” He lauded the New Zealand government for allowing the referendum, contrasting it with what he described as India’s resistance to Sikh independence movements. New Zealand’s decision to permit the referendum has stirred controversy, with Indian authorities expressing strong objections and lobbying against the event’s approval.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent Sikh rights activist and counsel general of Sikhs for Justice, has faced significant threats due to his outspoken support for Khalistan. His advocacy for Sikh independence and frequent criticism of the Indian government have made him a target beyond India’s borders. In Canada, reports have surfaced of alleged assassination attempts orchestrated by Indian agents, aimed at silencing Pannun’s influential voice within the Sikh diaspora. Despite the risks, Pannun remains undeterred, continuing his international campaign for Khalistan, which has mobilized thousands of Sikhs globally to participate in referenda and demand an independent Sikh state.
This latest vote is part of a series organised by SFJ, which has held similar referenda in different countries, gathering support for Khalistan from the Sikh diaspora. The movement has a complex and divisive history, rooted in decades of tension and grievances, with Sikhs seeking greater autonomy or independence from India. Supporters argue that the Khalistan campaign addresses longstanding issues of discrimination and persecution faced by Sikhs in India, while detractors claim it threatens the country’s unity and security.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun
A prominent figure in the Khalistan movement, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has long campaigned internationally for Sikh self-determination. As SFJ’s counsel general, he has frequently spoken out against what he describes as the Hindutva-driven policies of the Indian government, accusing it of violent suppression and anti-Sikh actions. Pannun’s advocacy is marked by his willingness to confront Indian leadership on the global stage, rallying the Sikh diaspora worldwide for his cause. His rhetoric, often direct and confrontational, has polarised opinions but maintains a strong following among those who see Khalistan as a just cause.
Pannun announced the referendum’s next phase will occur in Los Angeles, inviting Sikhs in the U.S. to participate in the Khalistan voting process. As the referendum gains momentum across international borders, it continues to challenge India’s stance on separatist movements, raising complex questions about diaspora activism, international law, and the limits of democratic expression.