London: A referendum for Sikh homeland, Khalistan, started in United Kingdom (UK) today October 31. The announcement was made by the ‘Punjab Referendum Commission’, which was appointed by appointed by the US-based Khalistani group— Sikhs for Justice.
Earlier, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has released a new map of India showing not just Punjab but Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and several districts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh as part of Khalistan. The new map clearly depicts that the area will be cut off from India and made Sikh country “Khalistan”. The map was released ahead of the organization’s effort to hold a world over the non-binding peaceful referendum to gauge support for creation of Khalistan beginning 31 Oct in London, at Queen Elizabeth Centre. The referendum is likely to gather considerable support for the just cause and demands of Sikhs of India. Sikhs have been facing systematic persecutions and continuous exploitation at the hands of successive Indian governments. The movement itself is a big question mark on the secular face of India.
The referendum will, then, take place in other countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, and the region of Punjab. Commission’ Chairman M Dane Waters, based at the University of Southern California clarified that the commission’s role is to “help the Sikhs for Justice to conduct a referendum that is as consistent with international norms as possible”.
After several postponements, the “Punjab Referendum Commission has announced to hold the “Punjab Independence Referendum on October 31, 2021. The Commission has been appointed by the US-based Khalistani separatist group Sikhs for Justice. The Commission” consists of “non-aligned direct democracy experts” who are to organise and hold a referendum on whether Punjab should be independent. The referendum will start in London on October 31 and then take place in other countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, and the region of Punjab, the commission stated.
Commission’ chairman M Dane Waters, based at the University of Southern California clarified that the commission’s role is to “help the SFJ conduct a referendum that is as consistent with international norms as possible”. He added, ‘Although a non-governmental and non-binding referendum, the result will be used as the basis for the Sikh community to request an official binding vote from the United Nations on establishing the Indian governed region of Punjab as an independent homeland for the indigenous people of whom Sikhs are the single largest group’. India is irked y the date of referendum, October 31, as on this date anti-Sikh riots, following Indira Gandhi’s assassination by his body guards, erupted, leaving 3000 to 17000 Sikhs dead.
India fought tooth and nail to forestall the intended referendum. It sent a dossier to the British government blaming Pakistan and Paramjit Singh Pamma, “an ordinary criminal”, for sponsoring the event. The UK rejected the request.
SFJ has promised help and assistance for those seeking visas to come to London to attend the rally. The organisation has booked rooms in a hotel in South all for participants travelling from outside the UK. From Britain’s Green Party, which has a lone MP in Westminster, Caroline Lucas and George Galloway, a former MP and former broadcaster respectively, have registered their support for the rally. Lucas said, `Sikh people have a right to determine for themselves whether they want to establish an independent Punjabi state’.
