Khalistan Referendum voting cannot be banned: Calgary’s Mayor
Calgaray: The Mayor of Calgary, Jyoti Gondek, has said that the city council cannot stop Khalistan Referendum voting tomorrow after the objections raised by the Indian government against the event that is set to attract thousands of pro-Khalistan Sikhs.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Jyoti Gondek in an interview said she doesn’t see the Khalistan voting as an issue as those involved are carrying out a legitimate, democratic exercise and it’s not for her office to sanction lawful events.
She said: “The public is able to gather at the Municipal Plaza at any time. They can do what they wish to.”
On Sunday, Sikhs for Justice, a US-based group, was granted permission by the City of Calgary to hold a non-binding referendum vote at Municipal Plaza. Mayor Jyoti Gondek does not see this as an issue.
Ian Fleming, Director of Corporate Properties and Buildings, said, “Individuals and organisations can use the plaza without permission, application or permit if they adhere to the expectations and guidelines of appropriate activities and behaviours.”
On Friday, hundreds of local Sikhs took part in a car rally in the city that started from Gurdwara Dashmesh Cultural Centre and toured the city for three hours. More than 100 vehicles were part of the rally, carrying Khalistan flags and banners.
Pro-Khalistan Sikhs For Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has said that the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was running a hate mongering campaign against Sikhs directly and through proxies as tensions grew between Indian and Canadian Sikhs ahead of Khalistan Referendum voting in Calgary.
The Indian government has expressed its nervousness just hours ahead of Khalistan Referendum voting in the Canadian city which is set to draw thousands of pro-Khalistan Sikhs to take part in the voting on the question of Punjab’s separation from India.
