US-based Sikh rights group says it will continue campaign for Referendum 2020

US-based Sikh rights group says it will continue campaign for Referendum 2020

A US-based Sikh rights and advocacy group has said it will continue its peaceful campaign for 'Referendum 2020' aimed at separating Punjab from India.

In a statement, Legal Advisor to Sikhs for Justice, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said the United States has unequivocally spoken that SfJ's Referendum 2020 campaign, which is aimed at liberating Punjab from the Indian Occupation, is a protected activity under the First Amendment to the US Constitution and Sikhs freedom of speech cannot be curtailed.

He said Sikhs for Justice will continue to propagate for the first global non-binding Punjab independence referendum to be held in next year.

Earlier, responding to a question by an Indian correspondent, Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department Robert Palladino said freedom of speech is protected by US laws and the United States do not have anything on this specific case.