Ottawa: More than 53,000 Canadian Sikhs from four provinces cast their ballots in Ottawa during the latest phase of the Khalistan Referendum, an unofficial global voting initiative organised by the secessionist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ).Sikh voters from Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec thronged the McNabb Community Centre, with queues stretching nearly two kilometres despite freezing temperatures, snowfall and strong winds. Organisers said thousands were still waiting to vote when the official 3:00pm closing time arrived, prompting officials to extend polling to accommodate everyone.SFJ had designated November 23 as 'Canada's Referendum on Khalistan,' declaring the vote a public response to Ottawa's diplomatic approach toward India. The group questioned why Prime Minister Mark Carney's government held G20 trade meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the same day, despite Canadian intelligence agencies linking Indian operatives to assassination plots, foreign interference an d criminal networks targeting Canadian citizens.Addressing voters via satellite, SFJ General Counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun described the referendum as part of a decades-long struggle for Sikh political rights. He said that 41 years after the 1984 anti-Sikh violence, Punjab is experiencing what he called 'econocide' under the Modi regime.'History shows Indira Gandhi ultimately faced the political consequences of her actions,' Pannun said, stressing that SFJ seeks the political-not physical-defeat of Modi's policies through ballots, international accountability and the continued rise of the Khalistan movement.Voters Oppose Canada-India Trade EngagementAs voters exited the polling station, SFJ volunteers asked each participant whether they supported the Carney government's decision to hold trade discussions with India without demanding accountability for the killing of BC Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar-an assassination Canadian officials have linked to Indian government agents.According to SFJ, t he response was 'overwhelmingly and almost unanimously' opposed to the government's engagement with New Delhi.The organisation said the massive turnout reflected not only strong support for Punjab's independence from India but also widespread discontent over Ottawa's handling of relations with India amid ongoing diplomatic tensions.SFJ leaders reiterated their demand for full accountability in Nijjar's killing and criticised any Canadian government approach that downplays warnings issued by national security agencies.