Washington D.C., USA – In a historic show of strength, more than 16,500 Sikhs gathered in front of the iconic Capitol Hill on Sunday to cast their votes in the ongoing Khalistan Referendum, demanding freedom for Punjab from Indian occupation.

The Washington referendum marked another major milestone in the global Khalistan movement, organized under the banner of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Despite being banned in India and its leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun being branded a “terrorist” by New Delhi, the turnout in the heart of America demonstrated that the movement is gaining unprecedented momentum.

The referendum comes at a sensitive geopolitical moment. Recently, President Donald Trump made headlines after addressing a letter to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, further legitimizing the Sikh diaspora’s push for self-determination. Trump has also moved to impose new tariffs on Indian goods, a policy shift that many observers see as a political setback for New Delhi amid growing criticism of its human rights record.

For India, the Washington referendum is viewed as a huge setback, exposing the cracks in its global image and its failure to suppress the Khalistan cause internationally. Despite repeated attempts to silence Sikh voices abroad, the movement is gaining strength in major capitals worldwide.

The momentum is set to continue. Organizers have announced that the next Khalistan Referendum will be held in Canada’s capital, Ottawa, on November 23, 2025 – a “Capital to Capital” journey that signals the determination of Sikhs across continents to reclaim their homeland.

As chants of “Khalistan Zindabad” echoed in Washington, many participants described the referendum as more than a vote – it was a resounding declaration of Sikh resilience, identity, and the dream of an independent Khalistan.