Canada Refuses To Recognise 'Punjab Referendum 2020', Know About The Khalistan Plot

Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh has welcomed Canada's decision and urged other countries to do the same.

File Photo: Getty

New Delhi: Canadian government has made clear its stand on the issue of Punjab Referendum 2020 by refusing to recognise it.  The self-proclaimed referendum by a US-based secessionist group is scheduled to be held in November. It aims to bring a resolution about the age-old communal demand by fringe groups for making a separate country for Sikhs called 'Khalistan'. A spokesperson of Canada's Foreign Ministry stated in an email that "Canada respects the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of India, and the Government of Canada will not recognize the referendum". The Twitter handle of Punjab Chief Minister's Office informed about CM Capt Amarinder Singh welcoming Canada's decision and inviting other countries to "reject secessionist `Referendum 2020’, which promotes to divide India on communal lines".

CM @capt_amarinder Singh has welcomed Canada’s decision not to recognise results of ‘Referendum 2020’ being organised by pro-Khalistan group #SFJ. CM hoped other countries to follow same & reject secessionist `Referendum 2020’, which promotes to divide India on communal lines.

— CMO Punjab (@CMOPb) July 25, 2020

Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) is the US-based secessionist group that is behind this so-called 'Referendum'. It campaigns for the secession of Punjab from India as Khalistan. India banned this group back in 2019 as an unlawful association. Reactions DGP, Punjab (Retd.), Shashi Kant responded to the development by saying, "I don't call it a referendum because referendum only happens within the geographical limits of any country. Sitting here, we can't do a referendum on the sovereignty of the USA, United Kingdom or any other country. That is not correct". He added, "Again, the point is the statement by the Canadian government that they will not recognise the `Referendum 2020' by a US-based organisation. This is a big victory for the Government of India's foreign policy which shows that it's paying dividends. The other countries are very much respecting India's sovereignty". The chairman of the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front Maninderjeet Singh Bitta has drawn links between the 'Referendum 2020' and Pakistan's ISI, he alleged that the latter is funding it. " 'Referendum 2020' is nothing but 'propaganda by Pakistan's ISI, which is backing and funding them. The Sikhs abroad are much closer to their religion and have promoted Sikhism the world over. If few people speak in favour of Khalistan, it doesn't mean that the entire Sikh community is supporting them," he said. (With Agency Inputs) WATCH | Global Updates: US Prez Trump focuses to reopen schools & colleges amid Covid crisis