New Delhi, Oct. 9 -- Amid reports that a pro-Khalistan group is planning to hold a so-called 'Khalistan referendum' in Canada's Edmonton later this month, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday took a strong exception to such suggestions, saying it strongly condemns "all anti-India activities".
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this in response to a query over the reports. He, however, did not name any country or any organisation.
Alberta is scheduled to hold a vote on October 19 on whether the province should remain in Canada or move toward a future referendum on separation, according to international media reports.
During his bi-weekly media briefing, a journalist referred to reports claiming that on October 18, a pro-Khalistan group is planning to hold a "so-called 'Khalistan referendum' on Punjab in Edmonton", the capital of Alberta.
Jaiswal was asked how India viewed this "false equivalence" and "anti-India agenda" being purveyed on Canadian soil, and whether New Delhi has taken this up with Ottawa.
The MEA spokesperson said, "We had a question about certain developments happening in certain part of the world. On that, I can say that we strongly condemn all anti-India activities."
According to reports, the pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), has allegedly used imagery to draw a parallel between the October 19 voting and the so-called Khalistan referendum in Edmonton, a day before it.
The SFJ had in the past also attempted such moves in Canada. India had earlier called upon Canada to prevent anti-India activities by individuals and groups based in that country.
The pro-Khalistan group had proposed the 'referendum' in Mississauga, near Toronto, in November 2022 as well, and prior to that the first such exercise was held at Brampton in Canada.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.