9.14°C Vancouver
connect fm logo

Sep 15, 2023 5:32 PM - The Canadian Press

B.C. Sikh referendum will ask if Indian diplomat was responsible for Nijjar killing

Share On
b-c-sikh-referendum-will-ask-if-indian-diplomat-was-responsible-for-nijjar-killing
The group Sikhs for Justice, which has been staging a series of non-binding votes in several countries on the independence issue, says the first stage of balloting in B.C. on Sunday attracted more than 135,000 voters.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Organizers of an unofficial worldwide referendum on Punjabi independence have added a question to the ballot in British Columbia asking if India's high commissioner was responsible for the killing of a prominent provincial Sikh leader in June.

The group Sikhs for Justice, which has been staging a series of non-binding votes in several countries on the independence issue, says the first stage of balloting in B.C. on Sunday attracted more than 135,000 voters.

It says the second stage will be held on Oct. 29 and will add a second question about whether High Commissioner Sanjay Verma was responsible for the "assassination" of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Police say Nijjar's death has not been connected to foreign interference.

The Sikh independence movement has angered India's government, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing "strong concerns" to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about Canada's handling of the issue.

Nijjar, who was a strong supporter of an independent Sikh homeland known as Khalistan, was gunned down outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, B.C., on June 18.

Homicide investigators have said they are seeking two "heavy-set" gunmen and the driver of a getaway car, a silver 2008 Toyota Camry.

The killing prompted protests outside Indian consulates and accusations of foreign involvement in the murder.

India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that Modi told Trudeau on the sidelines of last weekend's G20 summit in New Delhi that progress in the countries' relationship required "mutual respect and trust."

The statement said Modi expressed strong concerns about "continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada."

It said the Sikh movement was "promoting secessionism and inciting violence" against Indian diplomats, and called on Canada to work with India on what New Delhi said was a threat to the Canadian Indian diaspora.

Voting in the referendum on Sunday was held at the gurdwara where Nijjar was killed, and will be conducted there again next month.

Latest news

See All
CanadaOct 21, 2026

Canada Says Proposed Social Media Ban for Under-16s Is Constitutional

The Canadian government has defended proposed Bill C-34, which would ban children under 16 from using social media, arguing that it is consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In a statement issued by Justice Minister Sean Fraser, the government acknowledged that the proposed digital safety legislation could affect freedom of expression but maintained that it falls within constitutional limits. The government argued that age-based restrictions are already in place for activities such as voting and driving, and said similar measures are justified to protect children from the
danielle-smith-warns-ucp-members-support-canada-or-leave-the-party
AlbertaOct 21, 2026

Danielle Smith Warns UCP Members: Support Canada or Leave the Party

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has issued a strong warning to members of her United Conservative Party (UCP), saying those who cannot support a pro-Canada position should return their party memberships and find another party. In a video posted on social media Wednesday, Smith made it clear that the UCP cannot afford divisions over the issue, warning that internal disagreements could put the party at risk of losing the next provincial election to the opposition NDP. Her comments came after Monday’s referendum, in which Albertans voted in favour of remaining part of Canada. Smith acknowledged
psac-announces-strike-vote-for-120-000-federal-workers
CanadaOct 21, 2026

PSAC Announces Strike Vote for 120,000 Federal Workers

Canada’s largest federal public service union has announced a nationwide strike vote after contract negotiations with the government stalled. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) represents approximately 120,000 workers, including wildfire firefighters, passport officers, fisheries officers, federal teachers, librarians and administrative staff. The strike vote will run from November 16, 2026, to January 22, 2027. The union and the Treasury Board have been in a dispute over a new collective agreement for the past 18 months. PSAC alleges that the federal government has repeatedly dela
IndiaOct 21, 2026

CBI Takes Over Jhota Murder Probe, Post-Mortem Decision Still Pending

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has begun investigating the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Punjab. The central agency has registered an FIR in Chandigarh in connection with the case. CBI officials met Jhota’s family and recorded their statements. The team also collected evidence from the shop of the accused, Ashwani Kumar, and other locations linked to the case. The agency is reportedly trying to persuade the family to agree to a post-mortem examination. The CBI has assured them that a medical board of doctors at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Educatio
carney-says-federal-government-wont-back-down-on-immigration-targets
CanadaOct 21, 2026

Carney Says Federal Government Won’t Back Down on Immigration Targets

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has assured that the federal government will maintain sustainable immigration levels and will not back away from its targets. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday morning, Carney said his government is consulting provincial governments on bringing immigration to appropriate levels and distributing newcomers more effectively across the country based on economic needs. His remarks came after Alberta’s referendum, in which approximately 53 per cent of voters supported giving the province greater control over immigration policies to reduce the number o

Related News

Canada Says Proposed Social Media Ban for Under-16s Is Constitutional

Canada Says Proposed Social Media Ban for Under-16s Is Constitutional

The Canadian government has defended proposed Bill C-34, which would ban children under 16 from using social media, arguing that it is consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In a statement issued by Justice Minister Sean Fraser, the government acknowledged that the proposed digital safety legislation could affect freedom of expression but maintained that it falls within constitutional limits. The government argued that age-based restrictions are already in place for activities such as voting and driving, and said similar measures are justified to protect children from the
PSAC Announces Strike Vote for 120,000 Federal Workers

PSAC Announces Strike Vote for 120,000 Federal Workers

Canada’s largest federal public service union has announced a nationwide strike vote after contract negotiations with the government stalled. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) represents approximately 120,000 workers, including wildfire firefighters, passport officers, fisheries officers, federal teachers, librarians and administrative staff. The strike vote will run from November 16, 2026, to January 22, 2027. The union and the Treasury Board have been in a dispute over a new collective agreement for the past 18 months. PSAC alleges that the federal government has repeatedly dela
CBI Takes Over Jhota Murder Probe, Post-Mortem Decision Still Pending

CBI Takes Over Jhota Murder Probe, Post-Mortem Decision Still Pending

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has begun investigating the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Punjab. The central agency has registered an FIR in Chandigarh in connection with the case. CBI officials met Jhota’s family and recorded their statements. The team also collected evidence from the shop of the accused, Ashwani Kumar, and other locations linked to the case. The agency is reportedly trying to persuade the family to agree to a post-mortem examination. The CBI has assured them that a medical board of doctors at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Educatio
connect fm logo

Legals

Privacy policy
Journalism code of ethics
© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.
MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

About
Advertisers
Careers
Contact
Feedback
Accessibility Plan
Broadcasting Notice of Consultation
BC Children's Hospital
Android app linkApple app link