Web desk: A symbolic referendum on Khalistan is being held today in Washington, DC, drawing attention from Sikh communities around the world.
The event, organised by pro-Khalistan groups, aims to measure support among Sikhs in the United States for the creation of a separate Sikh homeland, carved out of India’s Punjab region.
Thousands of Sikhs from across America are expected to travel to the capital to take part in this ballot.
Organisers describe the vote as “a democratic tool for the Sikh nation to express their right to self-determination”, a principle recognised under international law.
Although the referendum carries no legal status and is not officially recognised by any government, it has sparked political debate, especially in India, where authorities dismiss such exercises as threats to national sovereignty.
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The campaign began in 2021 and has since been staged in several countries, including Canada, the UK, Australia, Switzerland and Italy.
The organisers state that the movement has sparked a great deal of international interest in the four years since then, and they stress what they refer to as ongoing grievances of Sikhs, especially in Punjab.
Washington, DC, has also stepped up security in a bid to make the gathering peaceful, with law enforcement personnel added around the venue.
American officials have justified the legality of the event, arguing that the freedom of speech and the right to peaceful assembly are enshrined in the US Constitution.
According to the supporters, the referendum will be a method of drawing attention to the alleged human rights abuses and discrimination that Sikhs suffer in India.
Nevertheless, the analysts warn that the movement becomes a significant threat to the territorial integrity of India and may increase the tension between India and Sikhs and Hindu people who live outside of India.
With symbolic voting currently being conducted in Washington today, international observers would be keen to observe who participates and what the message will be.
For many Sikhs, it is not an official ballot, but it represents a powerful expression of political identity and dissent.
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