Ludhiana, June 16: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has lashed out at Leader of the Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira for announcing his support for Punjab Referendum 2020 for Khalistan which supports the creation of a separate Sikh nation. Captain Singh has also asked Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to clarify his stand on the referendum.

"Mr Arvind Kejriwal, I strongly condemn the statement of your LOP Sukhpal Khaira supporting Referendum 2020 that aims for Punjab to secede from the Indian Union. Please clarify your stand on this & ask your partymen to act responsibly. Do see what this Referendum stands for," Captain Singh tweeted on Saturday.

The Punjab Chief Minister's statement came a day after Khaira extended support to the Referendum 2020 saying Sikhs had the right to demand justice against “atrocities” suffered by them. Khaira said that while he stands for a united India, Sikhs were "justified in demanding justice for sufferings during the 1984 riots." He said that the groups backing the referendum functioned from independent countries and within the law of those countries.

The Shiromani Akali Dal also flayed Khaira and said that his statement was proof of divisive politics played by his party. The Punjab referendum 2020 highlights the demand for a separate Sikh nation 'Khalistan'. It was reportedly  announced by Sikhs for Justice, an organisation operating out of Canada.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 16, 2018 04:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).