The US authorities have allowed pro-Khalistan extremists to hold another referendum on 'Khalistan' in Sacramento, California, on Sunday, despite repeated pleas from New Delhi, which views these activities as an attack on its sovereignty.
According to social media posts by supporters of the so-called Khalistan referendum, the unofficial and non-binding vote will take place at the State Capital Building in Sacramento.
In January this year, the US allowed Sikh separatists to hold the first-ever referendum on secession from the Indian state of Punjab on US soil.
New Delhi has previously stated that it finds it deeply objectionable to allow the so-called Khalistan referendum to take place in a 'friendly country'.
Until last year, so-called Khalistan referenda were held in Canada, the UK and Australia, with the US being the only country with a large Sikh diaspora that didn't allow the unofficial vote.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also sought greater coordination with US agencies in cracking down on the activities of pro-Khalistan terrorists and activists in the North American nation, including those who attacked the attacked the Indian Consulate in San Fransico on two separate occasions last year.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also sought greater coordination with US agencies in cracking down on the activities of pro-Khalistan terrorists and activists in the North American nation, including those who attacked the attacked the Indian Consulate in San Fransico on two separate occasions last year.
However, that changed in January this year, with a referendum being organised in California at the call of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a banned secessionist group whose general counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is a designated terrorist in India.
Last November, the US indicted an Indian national on charges of "murder for hire" against Pannun. The US indictment alleges that the Indian national was paid by an Indian official to carry out the alleged assassination.
Last November, the US indicted an Indian national on charges of "murder for hire" against Pannun. The US indictment alleges that the Indian national was paid by an Indian official to carry out the alleged assassination.
Indian Community Urges US Authorities to Revoke Permission
There are reports that sections of the Indian community in California, including members of the Sikh community, have urged the local authorities to withdraw permission for the Khalistan referendum to be held, fearing that it could lead to tensions in the diaspora.
However, reports suggest that these calls have been in vain.
According to the Coalition for Sikhs, around 500,000 Sikhs live in the US, with many concentrated in the southern state of California.