A large Khalistan Car Rally, involving hundreds of participants, reached the residence of Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik on Sunday, where demonstrators lodged a strong protest against what they described as India’s ongoing repression of Sikhs. The rally was organised by the US-based advocacy group Sikh For Justice (SFJ), under the leadership of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the legal advisor of the organisation and a key figure behind the global Khalistan Referendum campaign. Speakers at the event said the rally was not only a symbolic protest but also a public assertion of diaspora support for the upcoming phase of the Khalistan Referendum, a global voting initiative being held in various countries to gauge Sikh opinion on establishing an independent Khalistan. Role of Sikh for Justice SFJ stated that the rally was part of its campaign to highlight alleged human rights violations, particularly following India’s increased scrutiny of Sikh activism abroad. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, addressing the participants via recorded message, said the movement aimed to “give Sikhs a democratic route to express their political will”. Security & Government Reaction Local police monitored the rally to ensure safety and to manage traffic disruptions, but no clashes or major incidents were reported. The Indian government has repeatedly criticized such events, accusing SFJ of promoting extremism — a claim the group denies, asserting that its campaign is peaceful and democratic. Diaspora Impact Canada remains one of the most active centres of Sikh political mobilisation. The large participation in the Ottawa rally is seen by observers as an indicator of the diaspora’s increasing involvement in Sikh political identity issues and its determination to keep international attention on the Khalistan Referendum.