MEA condemns anti-India activities as Khalistan referendum planned in Canada
Synopsis
India's MEA has condemned all anti-India activities as the banned Sikhs for Justice plans a Khalistan referendum in Edmonton on 18 October — the latest flashpoint in already-fractured India-Canada ties, with reports of armed training videos on Canadian soil adding a sharper security dimension to the diplomatic standoff.
Key Takeaways
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned all anti-India activities at a media briefing on 9 October 2026 .
Banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) is reportedly planning a so-called Khalistan referendum in Edmonton, Canada , on 18 October .
SFJ founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has also called for a similar event in Indianapolis, USA , and proposed forming a 'Khalistan Army.' Videos allegedly showing Sikh men training with semi-automatic rifles on Canadian soil have been described as 'deeply alarming' in reports.
Canadian intelligence has previously identified Khalistani extremists as a national security concern, according to reports.
The development comes amid already strained India-Canada diplomatic relations following the 2023 diplomatic expulsions.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday, 9 October 2026, strongly condemned all anti-India activities, reacting to reports that the banned radical outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) is planning a so-called Khalistan referendum in Edmonton, Canada, on 18 October. The statement was made by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi.
India's Official Position
'We strongly condemn all anti-India activities,' Randhir Jaiswal said, responding to a direct question about the Khalistani event scheduled in Canada. The MEA's remarks were unequivocal, though officials did not elaborate further on any diplomatic measures being considered.
What Is Being Planned in Canada
Reports indicate that Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) — a group banned in India — intends to conduct a so-called referendum in Edmonton on 18 October. This follows a series of similar events organised by the outfit across North American cities. Separately, SFJ founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun reportedly released a video in August calling on diaspora Sikhs to participate in a comparable so-called referendum in Indianapolis, Indiana, while also proposing the formation of a 'Sikh Homeland Security' force, referred to as a Khalistan Army.
Concerns Over Radicalisation and Armed Training
A report by Khalsa Vox flagged videos allegedly showing Sikh men training with semi-automatic rifles on Canadian soil, describing them as 'deeply alarming' and warning they 'could have catastrophic consequences for the Sikh community itself.' The same report argued that Pannun's messaging romanticises defiance and externalises grievances onto India, potentially shortening the path from online rhetoric to real-world violence for vulnerable young men.
According to the report, the pattern — 'inflammatory videos followed by displays of force' — is not coincidental, and Canadian intelligence has previously identified Khalistani extremists as a national security concern for Canada.
Broader India-Canada Context
The MEA's statement comes amid an already strained phase in India-Canada diplomatic relations, which deteriorated sharply following the 2023 expulsion of diplomats and mutual allegations over the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. New Delhi has consistently maintained that Canada has not done enough to curb anti-India activity on its soil. This is the latest in a series of such condemnations, underlining the persistent friction between the two governments over the handling of Khalistani groups operating from Canadian territory.
What Comes Next
With the Edmonton event scheduled for 18 October, New Delhi will be watching closely for any Canadian government response. Diplomatic observers note that Ottawa's handling of the event — whether it intervenes, monitors, or permits it — will send a signal about the trajectory of the bilateral relationship. The MEA has not indicated whether it plans further diplomatic communication with Canada ahead of the date.
Point of View
Which has repeatedly declined to ban SFJ or designate Pannun as a terrorist. New Delhi's frustration is legitimate, but a press-briefing denunciation without a coordinated diplomatic follow-through risks becoming a ritual response to a structural problem. The real question is whether Canada, facing its own domestic political calculations around the Sikh diaspora vote, will act before the 18 October event — and if not, how India chooses to respond.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did India's MEA say about the Khalistan referendum in Canada?
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on 9 October 2026 that India 'strongly condemns all anti-India activities,' responding to reports of a Khalistan referendum planned by Sikhs for Justice in Edmonton, Canada, on 18 October. The statement was made at a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi.
What is Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and why is it banned in India?
Sikhs for Justice is a pro-Khalistan outfit that India designated as a banned organisation for its alleged role in promoting the secession of Punjab as a separate Sikh homeland called Khalistan. The group operates primarily from the United States and Canada, where it has organised a series of so-called referendums in diaspora cities.
Who is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and what has he proposed?
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is the founder of Sikhs for Justice and has been designated a terrorist by India. In August, he reportedly released a video calling on diaspora Sikhs to join referendum events and proposed forming a 'Sikh Homeland Security' force, also referred to as a Khalistan Army.
Why are India-Canada relations strained over the Khalistan issue?
India-Canada relations deteriorated sharply in 2023 after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian government involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil — a charge India denied. The dispute led to mutual expulsion of diplomats and has not been fully resolved since.
What happens on 18 October in Edmonton?
Sikhs for Justice reportedly plans to hold a so-called Khalistan referendum in Edmonton, Canada, on 18 October 2026. India has condemned the planned event; it is unclear whether Canadian authorities will intervene or take any action ahead of the date.
