Ottawa/IBNS-CMEDIA: The Indian flag was desecrated, and “Kill India” chants erupted at an unofficial referendum organised by the banned Khalistani group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) in Ottawa on Sunday.
The event coincided with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
Thousands of Canadian Sikhs, carrying yellow Khalistan flags, participated in the non-binding referendum that sought support for a separate Khalistan state and the secession of Punjab from India.
Videos from the event showed protesters desecrating the Indian flag and shouting aggressive slogans targeting Indian leaders and officials, including shouts of “Kill India.”
Police liaison officers were present but did not intervene despite the violent atmosphere.
SFJ’s general counsel, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, designated a terrorist by India, addressed voters through a satellite transmission.
The organisation claimed that over 53,000 Sikhs from Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec stood in long queues for hours in freezing weather to take part in the vote.
According to CBC News, this is the seventh such referendum held by SFJ in Canada since 2022.
Following a period of severed ties under former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over allegations related to the killing of Khalistani figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada has taken significant steps to mend its relationship with India.
India, Canada at G20
In a recent breakthrough at the G20 summit, Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Mark Carney met to reaffirm their commitment to deepen cooperation and restore high-level diplomatic engagement.
The countries agreed to launch negotiations on a high-ambition Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aimed at doubling bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2030.
“We have set a target of 50 billion USD by 2030 for our bilateral trade,” wrote Modi on X, stating that there has been “significant momentum” in bilateral ties of both the countries since their earlier meeting held during the G7 Summit hosted by Canada.
