The Khalistan referendum, a campaign spearheaded by the Sikh diaspora to create a separate homeland for Sikhs in Punjab, has gained renewed international attention in the wake of the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict. While the referendum remains nonbinding and organized mainly by advocacy groups like Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), its results are expected to be presented to the United Nations in 2026 as part of a push for Sikh self-determination.
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| Khalistan Referendum |
Sikh Diaspora and Global Referendums
Over the past decade, referendums have been held in several countries with significant Sikh populations, including Canada, the UK, Australia, and the United States. The movement has been largely driven by the diaspora, as political space for pro-Khalistan activism inside India remains restricted.
Conflict Sparks Renewed Calls for Khalistan
The India-Pakistan conflict of 2025 has intensified Khalistan rhetoric. Sikh leaders have openly expressed support for Pakistan during the crisis. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a leading figure in the Khalistan movement, declared that Sikhs in Indian Punjab would resist Indian military actions and align with Pakistan in the event of war. He also urged Islamabad to raise the Khalistan referendum issue at the United Nations, framing it as part of a larger struggle for minority rights in India.
Allegations of Targeting Sikh Sites
The conflict also sparked tensions after allegations emerged that India carried out drone strikes near Nankana Sahib, a holy Sikh site in Pakistan. While India denied the claims, pro-Khalistan groups seized on the reports to rally Sikh support worldwide, accusing New Delhi of targeting religious minorities even beyond its borders.
Pakistan’s Role and India’s Accusations
India has long accused Pakistan of backing the Khalistan movement as a tool of destabilization. Although Pakistani officials deny direct sponsorship, some former insiders have admitted that limited support was extended to Khalistani operatives in the past. For Islamabad, highlighting Sikh separatism has been part of its wider geopolitical strategy against New Delhi, particularly in the backdrop of the Kashmir dispute.
A Divisive Issue in International Politics
The referendum and broader Khalistan issue remain highly contentious. For India, it represents an existential threat to national unity. For Pakistan, it offers a diplomatic lever against its rival. For pro-Khalistan Sikhs, it is a chance to revive aspirations for a homeland rooted in decades of separatist sentiment, particularly after the violent crackdown on the movement in the 1980s.
Looking Ahead
As results from the diaspora-led referendums are compiled and prepared for presentation to the UN in 2026, the Khalistan question is set to resurface on the global stage. Against the backdrop of the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, it is likely to fuel greater international debate on minority rights, separatist movements, and the role of state-sponsored activism in South Asia’s geopolitical rivalries.
FAQ's
Q1. What is the Khalistan referendum?
The Khalistan referendum is a series of nonbinding votes organized mainly by the Sikh diaspora through groups like Sikhs for Justice. It asks Sikhs worldwide whether they want a separate homeland, Khalistan, in India’s Punjab region.
Q2. Is the Khalistan referendum recognized by India or the United Nations?
No. The referendum is not officially recognized by the Government of India or the United Nations. However, organizers plan to present the results to the UN in 2026 to push for Sikh self-determination.
Q3. Why has the Khalistan issue resurfaced in 2025?
The ongoing India–Pakistan conflict in 2025 has reignited pro-Khalistan activism. Sikh leaders such as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun voiced support for Pakistan, and allegations of drone attacks near Sikh holy sites in Pakistan further fueled the movement.
Q4. What is Pakistan’s role in the Khalistan movement?
India accuses Pakistan of supporting Khalistani groups to weaken India internally. While Pakistan officially denies this, some former Pakistani officials have admitted that limited backing was provided to separatist elements in the past.
Q5. How does the Sikh diaspora view the Khalistan movement?
The Sikh diaspora, especially in Canada, the UK, the USA, and Australia, has shown strong support for the referendum. In contrast, political space for pro-Khalistan activism inside India remains tightly restricted.
Q6. What impact could the Khalistan referendum have on India–Pakistan relations?
The referendum adds another layer of tension. For India, it threatens national unity; for Pakistan, it offers a geopolitical tool. Internationally, it could draw attention to minority rights and separatist movements in South Asia.
Q7. When will the Khalistan referendum results be presented?
The results of the worldwide referendums are expected to be compiled and presented to the United Nations in 2026 as part of a formal appeal for Sikh self-determination.
