EDMONTON, Alberta: More than 23,000 votes were cast Sunday in a Khalistan referendum in Edmonton, according to organizers, who extended voting hours to accommodate people waiting in long lines.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, general counsel of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), announced a strategy he described as fifth-generation warfare aimed at removing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government from power.
He also said the organization would launch a campaign on Nov. 1 to register 2 million voters for the Khalistan referendum.
The Punjab Referendum Commission (PRC), which oversaw the voting process, extended polling hours beyond the scheduled closing time to allow people still in line to cast their ballots.
Addressing a large gathering at the event, Pannun outlined a three-pronged strategy to advance the movement for an independent Sikh homeland in Punjab.
It includes mobilizing voters through referendums worldwide, supporting political and youth movements opposing Modi’s government within India, and increasing international economic pressure on the country.
SFJ announces voter registration campaign
Pannun said the voter registration drive would begin Nov. 1, a date SFJ commemorates as a day of remembrance for the 1984 anti-Sikh violence.
He said the campaign would run alongside the electoral process for Punjab’s state assembly.
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Describing the political component of the strategy, Pannun said SFJ was providing financial assistance and support to CJP and youth movements seeking to challenge Modi’s government.
He presented the effort as part of a broader campaign to advance the cause of Punjab’s independence.
Pannun also urged foreign investors to withdraw investments from Indian markets, describing the move as a way to increase economic pressure on the Modi government.
He argued that removing Modi’s government from power would represent a step toward Punjab’s independence.
Pannun accuses Modi government over Sikh leader’s killing
Pannun referred to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and accused the Modi government of using force to obstruct the Khalistan referendum movement.
He called for accountability for Modi, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, national security adviser Ajit Doval and Samant Goel.
Modi visits to Canada, U.S.
Commenting on possible visits by Modi to Canada and the United States in December, Pannun said the Indian prime minister would face opposition from the Khalistan movement in both countries.
The visits were described as possible, rather than confirmed, in the remarks provided by the organizers.
Proposed Sikh homeland security force
Pannun renewed his appeal for Sikh youth around the world to obtain firearms training within the law and join a proposed Sikh Homeland Security (SHS) defensive force.
He said the proposed force would focus on the lawful protection of the Sikh community and defensive preparedness.
Concluding his remarks, Pannun said Modi’s political career began in Punjab and that his political defeat would also come there.