Canada鈥檚 allegations about India鈥檚 links to the killing of activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar have significantly bolstered vocal support for the movement calling for an independent Sikh state, said organizers of an upcoming referendum.

The group Sikhs For Justice is scheduled to hold a second round of voting for its unofficial referendum on Khalistan 鈥� referring to an independent Sikh state in India 鈥� on Sunday (Oct. 29) at the gurdwara in Surrey, B.C., where Nijjar was shot on June 18.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the group鈥檚 lawyer and spokesman, said organizers are expecting 鈥渢housands鈥� of voters after the first vote in September drew such large crowds that a second day of voting was deemed necessary.

Pannun said while many supporters of the Khalistani movement had been reluctant to voice their opinions over fear of being labelled a terrorist, they now have confidence to speak out after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau鈥檚 statement that there were 鈥渃redible allegations鈥� of a potential link between the Indian government and Nijjar鈥檚 killing.

鈥淭he community has really taken it to a point where 鈥� they have formed the belief that if they do not come out in large numbers, these killings will continue,鈥� Pannun said from Washington, D.C., where he is en route to Vancouver for this weekend鈥檚 vote.

He said Trudeau鈥檚 statement to Parliament on Sept. 18 has opened more frank discussions in countries such as the United States and Great Britain on India鈥檚 handling of the fallout from Nijjar鈥檚 killing, allowing supporters to vocalize their positions without fear.

鈥淣ow they are more vocal, and they will be coming in the thousands in Surrey and in the future Khalistani voting centres,鈥� Pannun said.

The Indian government has denied involvement in Nijjar鈥檚 death, calling the allegations 鈥渁bsurd.鈥�

Nijjar had been wanted in India for what authorities say were links to terrorism, including an alleged attack on a Hindu priest, an allegation that Nijjar denied.

Nijjar was also a key organizer of the Canadian referendums. Similar votes have been held in the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy and Switzerland.

The Indian government has long maintained that independence activists in the Punjab region undermine India鈥檚 national security, while Canada said its citizens have freedom of speech if they don鈥檛 incite violence.

A 2005 Canadian government report concluded that the 1985 Air India bombings that killed 331 people were carried out as a result of a conspiracy by Sikh Khalistani separatists that was 鈥減lanned and executed鈥� in Canada. Only one man, bomb maker Inderjit Singh Reyat, was ever convicted.

India-Canada relations have frayed since Trudeau鈥檚 statement about Nijjar鈥檚 killing.

Earlier this month, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Canada had removed 41 of its 62 diplomats from India after Indian authorities threatened to strip diplomatic immunities for Canadian officials and their families.

There have been signs of thawing relations, as India said this week it is resuming entry visa services in Canada for some categories, including business, medical and those wanting to attended conferences.

Visas for tourists, students, journalists and missionaries appear to remain restricted.

鈥淓mergency situations will continue to be addressed by the high commission (of India) and the consulates general as it is being done currently,鈥� said a statement posted to Indian consulates鈥� websites.

Pannun said Sikhs For Justice has 鈥渘ever incited, provoked or promoted any kind of violent activity.

However, he said India believes the referendum on Khalistan is a violent activity.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 India鈥檚 version,鈥� Pannun said, adding that members of the activists community are acting to protect their democratic rights by voting.

鈥淲henever there is going to be injustice, you need raise your voice, even if you have to lose your life. So, this is the basic principle of Sikhism, and that鈥檚 what we follow.鈥�

The first vote in September included a question on whether voters felt India was involved in Nijjar鈥檚 killing, but Pannun said the question has been removed since Trudeau made his comments.

Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press