Over 37,000 Sikhs exercised their right to vote in the Khalistan Referendum held on Sunday in Aucland, calling for the creation of an independent Sikh state of Khalistan within India.
The independent Punjab Referendum Commission (PRC) is conducting the referendum. Dr. Bakhshish Singh Sandhu, the President of the Council of Khalistan and founding member of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), announced that the total number of votes cast was over 37,000. The referendum took place at Auckland’s Aotea Square, where thousands of Sikhs gathered to cast their votes, prompting the organizers to extend the voting time by one hour.
Dr. Bakhshish Singh Sandhu addressed thousands of Khalistan supporters, saying in his speech: “The Indian government lobbied against the voting and asked New Zealand to ban Sikhs from participating. However, the local authorities approved the referendum and clarified that New Zealand is a country committed to freedom of expression. Throughout the day, thousands of Sikhs chanted slogans for the creation of Khalistan and accused the Indian government of being involved in the Sikh genocide and transnational oppression against Sikhs. This shows the deep love for Khalistan in the hearts of Sikhs.”
After the SFJ announced the event in New Zealand, the matter was raised by S. Jaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs, with New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters during their meeting on the sidelines of the Raisina Down Under conference in Canberra on November 6.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the Counsel General of SFJ, told the audience at the conclusion of the referendum that Sikhs had struck fear into the Indian state through the peaceful voting process. He stated that the Hindutva state had resorted to terrorist means to punish Sikhs for seeking their homeland. “No other option is acceptable to Sikhs other than liberation from India. It’s either freedom or martyrdom,” he declared.
The SFJ chief also announced a bounty of 1 million dollars for anyone who shares intelligence on Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s foreign trips and held him responsible for authorizing the “terror campaign” against Sikhs. He further stated that Sikhs have decided to confront the Hindutva violent ideology by all means possible, starting with a campaign from Ayodhya, the birthplace of the Hindutva ideology.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun added, “The Sikh Sangat in their thousands have cast their votes today to liberate Sikhs from Indian occupation. This is a democratic way of seeking freedom, but the terrorist Modi government is trying to stop Sikhs with bullets and terrorism. Shaheed Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar was martyred in Canada inside the Gurdwara on orders from the Indian government.”
“The principle is blood for blood, and bullets for bullets. The Sikh Panth has shown its ability to avenge and fight for its rights – as seen in the assassination of Indira Gandhi – but today we are fighting India’s bullets with ballots. We are working through non-violence and through our votes, but this is a message for Amit Shah and Narendra Modi: we have brought political death upon you through the weapon of the ballot. We will hold each and every Indian leader accountable and bring them to justice through legal processes.”
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun also announced that the next phase of the Khalistan Referendum will be held in Los Angeles, California. He ended his speech with the slogans: “Delhi banay ga Khalistan. Na Hindi, Na Hindutva, Na Hindustan, Delhi banay ga Khalistan. Khalistan Zindabad.”