Canada, In the aftermath of the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a fervent advocate for a Sikh homeland in Punjab, the Surrey Khalistan referendum is anticipating a significantly higher voter turnout. The recent sentiments expressed by Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, and the impactful last speech by Nijjar prior to his demise, are believed to play pivotal roles in mobilizing Sikh voters.
According to a news release by Kashmir Media Service, Avtar Singh Pannun, Coordinator to Sikhs For Justice, highlighted that the next phase of the referendum voting would occur at the very location in Vancouver where Nijjar lost his life. Pannun has called upon the Sikh community to rally and cast their votes in affirmation of independence. Notably, in a previous round of voting at the same venue on September 10th, 135,000 votes were cast in favor of the referendum. However, numerous potential voters were unable to participate due to the conclusion of the voting timeframe. Given the current circumstances, expectations are set for over 200,000 Sikhs to join the voting process at the Nijjar Center on October 29th.
Bhupinder Singh Hothi, the General Secretary of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, has echoed Pannun’s sentiments, urging Sikh residents to vote in large numbers, both in support of the referendum and in memory of Nijjar.
It is claimed that Nijjar’s death was orchestrated by India in an attempt to intimidate Sikhs. Contrary to that intention, Nijjar’s killing has drawn attention to India’s perceived stance on international law. Nijjar played an integral role as the Chief Coordinator of the Khalistan referendum campaign in Canada. He had close affiliations with US-based Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Counsel General of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) – the group at the forefront of the global Khalistan Referendum campaign. It’s important to note that Nijjar, Pannun, and UK-based Paramjeet Singh Pamma were labeled as terrorists by the Indian government in 2020.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar also held the prestigious title of President of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in British Columbia, the largest Gurdwara in Canada. The voting for the Khalistan Referendum, spearheaded by the independent Punjab Referendum Commission (PRC), began on October 31, 2021. The process has since been conducted in various international cities, with the results expected to be announced upon completion of all phases.
Furthermore, another Sikh leader, Gurmeet Singh Toor, close to Nijjar and holding a significant position in the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara’s management committee, received a critical warning from Canadian law enforcement in August 2023. Canadian officials cautioned Toor of serious threats against his life, purportedly from agents acting on India’s behalf.
In his remarks, Gurmeet Singh Toor, a Canadian national, expressed that he believes India targets him due to his active participation in the Khalistan Referendum campaign. Toor remains resolute in his support for the referendum, even after the tragic assassination of Nijjar.