Canada香蕉视频直播檚 allegations about India香蕉视频直播檚 links to the killing of activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar have significantly bolstered vocal support for the movement calling for an independent Sikh state, said organizers of an upcoming referendum.
The group Sikhs For Justice is scheduled to hold a second round of voting for its unofficial referendum on Khalistan 香蕉视频直播� referring to an independent Sikh state in India 香蕉视频直播� on Sunday (Oct. 29) at the gurdwara in Surrey, B.C., where Nijjar was shot on June 18.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the group香蕉视频直播檚 lawyer and spokesman, said organizers are expecting 香蕉视频直播渢housands香蕉视频直播� of voters after the first vote in September drew such large crowds that a second day of voting was deemed necessary.
Pannun said while many supporters of the Khalistani movement had been reluctant to voice their opinions over fear of being labelled a terrorist, they now have confidence to speak out after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau香蕉视频直播檚 statement that there were 香蕉视频直播渃redible allegations香蕉视频直播� of a potential link between the Indian government and Nijjar香蕉视频直播檚 killing.
香蕉视频直播淭he community has really taken it to a point where 香蕉视频直播� they have formed the belief that if they do not come out in large numbers, these killings will continue,香蕉视频直播� Pannun said from Washington, D.C., where he is en route to Vancouver for this weekend香蕉视频直播檚 vote.
He said Trudeau香蕉视频直播檚 statement to Parliament on Sept. 18 has opened more frank discussions in countries such as the United States and Great Britain on India香蕉视频直播檚 handling of the fallout from Nijjar香蕉视频直播檚 killing, allowing supporters to vocalize their positions without fear.
香蕉视频直播淣ow they are more vocal, and they will be coming in the thousands in Surrey and in the future Khalistani voting centres,香蕉视频直播� Pannun said.
The Indian government has denied involvement in Nijjar香蕉视频直播檚 death, calling the allegations 香蕉视频直播渁bsurd.香蕉视频直播�
Nijjar had been wanted in India for what authorities say were links to terrorism, including an alleged attack on a Hindu priest, an allegation that Nijjar denied.
Nijjar was also a key organizer of the Canadian referendums. Similar votes have been held in the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy and Switzerland.
The Indian government has long maintained that independence activists in the Punjab region undermine India香蕉视频直播檚 national security, while Canada said its citizens have freedom of speech if they don香蕉视频直播檛 incite violence.
A 2005 Canadian government report concluded that the 1985 Air India bombings that killed 331 people were carried out as a result of a conspiracy by Sikh Khalistani separatists that was 香蕉视频直播減lanned and executed香蕉视频直播� in Canada. Only one man, bomb maker Inderjit Singh Reyat, was ever convicted.
India-Canada relations have frayed since Trudeau香蕉视频直播檚 statement about Nijjar香蕉视频直播檚 killing.
Earlier this month, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Canada had removed 41 of its 62 diplomats from India after Indian authorities threatened to strip diplomatic immunities for Canadian officials and their families.
There have been signs of thawing relations, as India said this week it is resuming entry visa services in Canada for some categories, including business, medical and those wanting to attended conferences.
Visas for tourists, students, journalists and missionaries appear to remain restricted.
香蕉视频直播淓mergency situations will continue to be addressed by the high commission (of India) and the consulates general as it is being done currently,香蕉视频直播� said a statement posted to Indian consulates香蕉视频直播� websites.
Pannun said Sikhs For Justice has 香蕉视频直播渘ever incited, provoked or promoted any kind of violent activity.
However, he said India believes the referendum on Khalistan is a violent activity.
香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 India香蕉视频直播檚 version,香蕉视频直播� Pannun said, adding that members of the activists community are acting to protect their democratic rights by voting.
香蕉视频直播淲henever there is going to be injustice, you need raise your voice, even if you have to lose your life. So, this is the basic principle of Sikhism, and that香蕉视频直播檚 what we follow.香蕉视频直播�
The first vote in September included a question on whether voters felt India was involved in Nijjar香蕉视频直播檚 killing, but Pannun said the question has been removed since Trudeau made his comments.
Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press
