November 24,2025
RED FM News Desk
India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, strongly criticized the referendum held Sunday in Ottawa by Sikhs for Justice . He said that while peaceful protest is acceptable, Canada must consider how permitting such events is perceived in India, where it is often viewed as Canadian interference in Indian affairs.
In an interview with CBC, Patnaik described the referendum as “farcical,” noting that anyone could organize such a vote. He emphasized that India itself allows peaceful political expression, including parties that support a Khalistani state. “There are even two MPs in our Parliament, one of whom is the son of a man convicted in the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi,” he said.
Patnaik stressed that Canadians understand what a legitimate referendum entails and that this event does not meet those standards. “This is a referendum organized by Canadians, held in Canada. If you want to do it, go ahead,” he said. “The problem is that people back home in India see this as Canadian interference in India—just as Canadians would see anything similar as Indian interference in Canada. That’s something Canada needs to think about.”
He also condemned displays at the event that glorified violence. “They are showing images of a former Indian prime minister being assassinated and celebrating suicide bombers who killed a former Punjab chief minister,” he said.
Patnaik asked Canadians to consider how they would react if another country allowed similar activities related to Quebec. The interviewer objected to the comparison, but Patnaik insisted he meant no offence—only that the issue is highly sensitive in India.
Quebec has held two referendums, in 1980 and 1995, on whether it should separate from Canada—both resulting in a “no” vote.
On Sunday, Sikhs for Justice, conducted the Ottawa vote.
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