New Delhi, July 11: A day after the Indian government banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), the organisation in response to the ban burnt the Tricolor, reported The Times of India. SFJ's legal advisor and spokesperson Gurpatwant Singh Pannun released a video of burning the Indian flag. Pannun also announced that they will hoist the flag of Khalistan outside Indian consulates in different countries on August 15, India's Independence Day.

"Referendum is an internationally recognized democratic modus operandi to ascertain the will of peoples on any political issue. Khalistan is a political opinion and SFJ's initiative of seeking Sikh peoples' opinion through Referendum 2020 will continue irrespective of India's ban," reported TOI quoting Pannun as saying. London Declaration For Referendum 2020: Indian Supporters Held Rally In London To Counter Pro-Khalitani Event.

The SFJ legal advisor also added that the organisation will continue to spearhead the campaign for Referendum 2020. In the video, Pannun also said that the Indian government is suppressing the movement through detentions and brute force. He added that SFJ believes in ballot and not bullet.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh hailed the Centre’s decision to ban SFJ. Captain Singh described it as the first step towards protecting the nation from the anti-India/secessionist designs of ISI-backed organisation.

In August last year, the pro-Khalistani organisation held a rally demanding a separate country for Sikhs. More than 2,500 people participated in the rally to issue so-called ‘London Declaration’ for holding Referendum 2020.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 11, 2019 02:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).