‘Kill India’ chants, flags desecrated: Inside the ‘Khalistan referendum’ held by SFJ in Canada

Ties between India and Canada fell to an all-time low in 2023 after the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Now, after one-and-a-half year, relations between the two nations are on the mend with New Delhi and Ottawa resuming trade talks. However, a new development could hurt ties once again.

What are we talking about?

On Sunday (November 23), an unofficial “Khalistan Referendum” was held in Ottawa, which saw the participation of thousands of Canadian Sikhs reportedly shouting chants such as “Kill India”.

Here’s what we found out so far.

SFJ holds referendum for Khalistan in Ottawa

On Sunday (November 23), the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a group banned by India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for its “subversive activities”, held a referendum in Ottawa, as part of its campaign for an independent Sikh Punjab, called “Khalistan”.

According to CBC News, this is the seventh such referendum being held by the group in Canada since September 2022. The first such vote was held in Brampton, Ontario just days after a travel advisory from India warning of a rise in “hate crimes, sectarian violence and anti-India activities” in Canada and advising Indian nationals in the country, including students, to be on the alert.

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There were then two rounds of voting in September and October 2023 in Surrey, BC. Organsers claimed a turnout of 200,000. Two more rounds followed in Mississauga, Ontario, in 2024, as well as a vote in Calgary.

And on Sunday, the SFJ claims that over 53,000 Sikhs from Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec queued for more than two kilometres to cast their ballots. “From new-born children to seniors using walkers, families remained in line all day. Thousands were still waiting when the 3 pm closing time arrived, and voting continued to ensure they could cast their ballots,” the group was quoted as saying.

In Ottawa, #Khalistani separatists held a “referendum” vote, with Inderjit Singh Gosal clearly seen chanting.
Gosal of Brampton, along with Jagdeep Singh and Arman Singh, was arrested on Sept. 19 in Whitby and charged with multiple firearms offences.
Gosal leads the Canadian… https://t.co/eefFs5RiuS pic.twitter.com/Lefyd2u6Zb

— Ethan 🇨🇦 (@Ethan113554) November 25, 2025

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Videos from the referendum circulating online show Khalistan supporters chanting “kill” slogans against India and its officials. Some also desecrated the Indian flag.

Happening today in Ottawa Canada. Khalistani separatists from Ontario gather to vote in the “referendum”
They are yelling “Kill India”
Hello, you are in Canada. If you want to fight this battle, go back to where you came from. pic.twitter.com/0mwklRqktG

— Ryan Gerritsen🇨🇦🇳🇱 (@ryangerritsen) November 23, 2025

SFJ’s general counsel, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, designated a terrorist by India, addressed participants via satellite message during the event.

India’s response to Khalistan referendum

India has taken note of the referendum in Ottawa with Dinesh Patnaik, the Indian envoy to Canada, calling it “farcical” and an “interference”.

In an interview to CBC News, Patnaik said, “Having a peaceful protest or asking for something is part of a political process. We have no problem with it. In India, there are political parties which ask for the formation of a Khalistani government.

Dinesh Patnaik, @HCI_Ottawa @DineshKPatnaik Indian Envoy to Canada on the so-called Khalistani referendum: "It is a farcical referendum. It is a referendum by Canadians in Canada. Back home it is seen as Canadian interference in India"

Vdo Ctsy: CBC News pic.twitter.com/BnONSvM1uV

— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) November 24, 2025

“You people know what a referendum is. You have done referendums in the past. You know how farcical this is. Referendums have a certain process. This is a referendum by Canadians done in Canada. If you want to do it, do it.”

“The problem that happens is that back home in India they see this as Canadian interference in India as Canadians see anything as Indian interference in Canada. That’s something Canada has to think about.”

Potential to disrupt India-Canada ties

What makes this Khalistan referendum notable is the timing of it. It was held on the same day that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

When asked what message is being sent, Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand was quoted telling CBC News said that the meeting “has been contemplated for some time and it happens to be falling on the Sunday without an intention to undermine or hurt any interest domestically”.

“And so I want to say at the forefront of every conversation is going to be the focus on the law enforcement matters, the law enforcement dialogue [and] the issues of public safety and security at home.”

In the recent past, Canada has been taking steps to mend ties with India after they severely deteriorated during former PM Justin Trudeau’s government. And the latest breakthrough was achieved on Sunday itself when India and Canada agreed to launch negotiations on a high-ambition Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa).

According to a statement issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) late Sunday, both sides have committed to pursuing an ambitious trade pact aimed at doubling bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. The renewed engagement also includes deepening longstanding civil nuclear cooperation and advancing discussions on long-term uranium supply arrangements, an area of shared strategic interest.

This is a significant breakthrough in India-Canada ties. In the recent years, New Delhi has raised concerns about Khalistani elements thriving in Canada. Moreover, the allegations levelled by Justin Trudeau pertaining to Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing worsened the situation — resulting in a diplomatic spat and a freeze in trade talks.

With inputs from agencies