Canada害羞草研究所檚 allegations about India害羞草研究所檚 links to the killing of activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar have significantly bolstered vocal support for the movement calling for an independent Sikh state, said organizers of an upcoming referendum.

The group Sikhs For Justice is scheduled to hold a second round of voting for its unofficial referendum on Khalistan 害羞草研究所� referring to an independent Sikh state in India 害羞草研究所� on Sunday (Oct. 29) at the gurdwara in Surrey, B.C., where Nijjar was shot on June 18.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the group害羞草研究所檚 lawyer and spokesman, said organizers are expecting 害羞草研究所渢housands害羞草研究所� of voters after the first vote in September drew such large crowds that a second day of voting was deemed necessary.

Pannun said while many supporters of the Khalistani movement had been reluctant to voice their opinions over fear of being labelled a terrorist, they now have confidence to speak out after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau害羞草研究所檚 statement that there were 害羞草研究所渃redible allegations害羞草研究所� of a potential link between the Indian government and Nijjar害羞草研究所檚 killing.

害羞草研究所淭he community has really taken it to a point where 害羞草研究所� they have formed the belief that if they do not come out in large numbers, these killings will continue,害羞草研究所� Pannun said from Washington, D.C., where he is en route to Vancouver for this weekend害羞草研究所檚 vote.

He said Trudeau害羞草研究所檚 statement to Parliament on Sept. 18 has opened more frank discussions in countries such as the United States and Great Britain on India害羞草研究所檚 handling of the fallout from Nijjar害羞草研究所檚 killing, allowing supporters to vocalize their positions without fear.

害羞草研究所淣ow they are more vocal, and they will be coming in the thousands in Surrey and in the future Khalistani voting centres,害羞草研究所� Pannun said.

The Indian government has denied involvement in Nijjar害羞草研究所檚 death, calling the allegations 害羞草研究所渁bsurd.害羞草研究所�

Nijjar had been wanted in India for what authorities say were links to terrorism, including an alleged attack on a Hindu priest, an allegation that Nijjar denied.

Nijjar was also a key organizer of the Canadian referendums. Similar votes have been held in the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy and Switzerland.

The Indian government has long maintained that independence activists in the Punjab region undermine India害羞草研究所檚 national security, while Canada said its citizens have freedom of speech if they don害羞草研究所檛 incite violence.

A 2005 Canadian government report concluded that the 1985 Air India bombings that killed 331 people were carried out as a result of a conspiracy by Sikh Khalistani separatists that was 害羞草研究所減lanned and executed害羞草研究所� in Canada. Only one man, bomb maker Inderjit Singh Reyat, was ever convicted.

India-Canada relations have frayed since Trudeau害羞草研究所檚 statement about Nijjar害羞草研究所檚 killing.

Earlier this month, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Canada had removed 41 of its 62 diplomats from India after Indian authorities threatened to strip diplomatic immunities for Canadian officials and their families.

There have been signs of thawing relations, as India said this week it is resuming entry visa services in Canada for some categories, including business, medical and those wanting to attended conferences.

Visas for tourists, students, journalists and missionaries appear to remain restricted.

害羞草研究所淓mergency situations will continue to be addressed by the high commission (of India) and the consulates general as it is being done currently,害羞草研究所� said a statement posted to Indian consulates害羞草研究所� websites.

Pannun said Sikhs For Justice has 害羞草研究所渘ever incited, provoked or promoted any kind of violent activity.

However, he said India believes the referendum on Khalistan is a violent activity.

害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 India害羞草研究所檚 version,害羞草研究所� Pannun said, adding that members of the activists community are acting to protect their democratic rights by voting.

害羞草研究所淲henever there is going to be injustice, you need raise your voice, even if you have to lose your life. So, this is the basic principle of Sikhism, and that害羞草研究所檚 what we follow.害羞草研究所�

The first vote in September included a question on whether voters felt India was involved in Nijjar害羞草研究所檚 killing, but Pannun said the question has been removed since Trudeau made his comments.

Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press