Thousands of Sikhs queue at Calgary’s iconic Municipal Plaza for Khalistan referendum vote
Calgary: Thousands of Sikhs queued at the Calgary’s iconic Municipal Plaza – opposite the local United States diplomatic mission – to take part in the Khalistan Referendum voting for the creation of an independent state of Khalistan for the Sikh nation.
According to Kashmir Media Service, organsied by the pro-Khalistan Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) group, the voting has been organised in Calgary to seek opinion of Sikhs of Canada’s Alberta province on the creation of an independent state for Sikhs. An estimated one million Sikhs now live in Canada and nearly 100,000 live in Calgary.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s family was the first to cast their votes, surrounded by prominent Khalistan figures.
The SFJ leader announced that Calgary voting is dedicated to the nine Canadia national Sikhs assassinated by India for their supports for Khalistan. Those Canadian Sikhs are: Lakhbir Singh Rode, Bhupinder Singh Kooner, Harjinder Singh Para, Talwinder Singh Parmar, Surinder Singh Shinder Commando, Balbir Singh Khaira, Jathedar Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Mohinder Singh Kooner and Surinder Singh Ravi.
At the start of the voting with Sikh prayers led by the local Sikh religious figures from Gurdawara Dashmesh Culture Centre, thousands formed long queues to cast their votes for the process that will last for the full day. Men, women, youth, children and elderly have gathered in the town from across the province to cast their votes for the non-binding referendum which is aimed at seeking opinion of Sikhs from around the world, before presenting the final results to the United Nations.
Sikhs who gathered outside the city hall were carrying flags of Khalistan. The road outside has been decorated with large posters of Sikhs who embraced martyrdom for the Sikh causes – and are revered by the Sikhs across the world.
All the phases of voting in Khalistan Referendum are being held under the guidance and supervision of panel of non-aligned direct democracy experts from the Punjab Referendum Commission (PRC). The whole voting process from registration to supervision of ballot boxes and sealing of the ballots at the end of voting day is conducted by Commission’s approved third party staff to maintain the highest level of transparency. The PRC is conducting the voting on the question of “Should Indian Governed Punjab Be An Independent Country?” with two options of “Yes” and No”.
