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WELLINGTON: Despite desperate efforts by the Indian government, the Sikh for Justice Movement in New Zealand has been allowed to hold a referendum seeking a separate state of Khalistan in India.
The Sikh separatist leaders had earlier held similar referendums in other countries such as Canada and Australia. The Indian government tried its best to persuade the government of New Zealand not to allow the Khalistan Movement to go for the referendum.
According to media reports, the foreign minister of India had contacted his counterpart in New Zealand and tried his best to convince the host government to stop the Sikh referendum.
However, the New Zealand government allowed the Sikh for Justice Movement to go ahead with its plan of referendum in Auckland on Sunday (November 17).
Political observers are of the opinion that the move by the Sikh for Justice Movement can lead to straining relations between India and New Zealand.
