Despite opposition from India and rising global tensions over attacks on Sikh leaders abroad, the United States has permitted the Khalistan referendum to proceed in Seattle, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Sunday.

According to the TV channel report, thousands of Sikhs have gathered to cast their votes as part of the global movement organised by Sikhs for Justice.

Voting officially began on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. local time, with organisers ensuring all necessary facilities, including food and refreshments, were provided for the attendees.

The referendum in Seattle, the first of its kind in the city, is led by Gurpatwant Singh Pann, who emphasised the historical resilience of Punjab and expressed confidence in a transformative future.

Downtown Seattle has been adorned with Khalistani flags, creating a vibrant atmosphere as participants arrived in large numbers to exercise their vote.

This event follows previous referendums held around the world, including Ottawa on 23 November 2025, as well as London, Toronto, Vancouver, Rome, and Geneva. Millions of Sikhs globally have participated in past votes in favor of Khalistan, highlighting the continued international mobilization of the community.

India has faced accusations of targeting Sikh leaders overseas, including the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

Such incidents have heightened tensions between the Indian state and the global Sikh diaspora, with organizers questioning India’s stated indifference to the referendum.

Gurpatwant Singh Pann asserted, “I fear not death, and I believe that due to Punjab’s resistant history, India’s map will change over the next 10 to 15 years.”

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5848756&forum_id=2Vannesa#49762353)