India Condemns Anti-India Activities Ahead of Planned Khalistan Referendum in Canada
New Delhi — India on Friday reiterated its opposition to anti-India activities following reports that a pro-Khalistan organization plans to hold a referendum in Canada later this month.
“We strongly condemn all anti-India activities,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a press briefing in New Delhi.
His remarks came in response to reports that Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), an organization banned in India, intends to organize a Khalistan referendum in Edmonton, Canada, on October 18.
The proposed referendum is part of a campaign by separatist groups seeking the creation of an independent Sikh state called Khalistan.
The development follows concerns raised in August over statements by SFJ founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who reportedly proposed establishing a “Khalistan Army” and a “Sikh Homeland Security” force.
According to a report by Khalsa Vox, Pannun released a video encouraging Sikhs living abroad to participate in a Khalistan referendum in Indianapolis, Indiana, while promoting the idea of an armed security organization.
The report also raised concerns about videos allegedly showing Sikh men training with semiautomatic rifles in Canada, warning that such activities could have serious consequences for Sikh communities in North America.
“These are not abstract political arguments. They are calculated provocations aimed at restless young men already navigating the pressures of migration, identity, and easy money,” the report stated.
It argued that rhetoric encouraging armed mobilization could increase the risk of vulnerable young people becoming involved in criminal activity.
“Pannun’s messaging does not create every troubled youth, but it supplies a ready-made narrative that romanticizes defiance and externalizes every failure onto India,” the report said.
The publication also cited previous concerns raised by Canadian intelligence agencies about Khalistani extremism and its potential implications for national security.
India has consistently opposed activities advocating the separation of Punjab from the country and has raised concerns about pro-Khalistan organizations operating overseas, particularly in Canada. (Source: IANS)
