The United States allowed the referendum citing freedom of speech under the First Amendment.
SaAN FRANCISCO/LONDON: The US government has allowed pro-Khalistan Sikh For Justice (SFJ) to hold a referendum on Khalistan freedom on its territory, despite India's objections.
The United States allowed the referendum citing freedom of speech under the First Amendment. Tens of thousands of American Sikhs are expected to attend Sunday's vote.
A panel of non-aligned experts who oversaw the referendum on the question “Should Indian-ruled Punjab be an independent country?” announced “voter eligibility” for people living in Indian-ruled Punjab during a joint press conference in San Francisco.
Sikhs For Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun had announced the polling center three weeks ago. About four months ago, the US government revealed that it had thwarted an attempt by Indian government agents to kill Pannun on US soil.
Voting eligibility differs for the Khalistan referendum organized by Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and the Punjab Referendum Commission. Outside Punjab, only Sikhs can vote, while in Indian Punjab, people of all religions can participate in the referendum taking place in San Francisco on Sunday.
The organizers of the referendum and the Punjab Referendum Commission have established criteria that encourage all native Punjabis in Indian Punjab to register and participate in the Khalistan Referendum, highlighting inclusivity. They have the right to vote on the question “Should Indian-ruled Punjab be an independent country?”
Renowned expert Professor Matt Qvortrup emphasized democratic principles and urged India to allow voter registration and polls in Punjab. Khalistan Council President Dr. Bakhsish Singh Sandhu saw the referendum as an opportunity for the Punjabi people to express their will on the sovereignty of Punjab. The US phase of the Khalistan referendum will begin on January 28 in San Francisco, with thousands of people voting under the supervision of the SFJ.
The US phase of the Khalistan referendum will take place at Civic Center Plaza, owned and operated by the city of San Francisco. Thousands of Sikhs from across the Bay Area are expected to participate in the vote from 9am to 5pm under the supervision of the PRC, answering SFJ's call.
The Khalistan vote began on October 31, 2021 in London, United Kingdom, and has so far been held in several cities in the United Kingdom, Geneva, Switzerland, Rome and Milan (Italy), the Australian cities of Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney ; and the Canadian cities of Brampton, Mississauga, Malton (Ontario) and Vancouver (British Columbia).
