"Harinder Singh, owner of Sher-e-Punjab restaurant in Auckland's Papatoetoe, said he had proudly retained an Indian passport.
"I love India. That's why I still haven't given up my Indian citizenship. In India, all of us want to live together, whether we are Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians or of any other faith," Singh said.
"There was no animosity between us earlier. But now India has changed. If one person of a particular faith commits any mistake, the person's entire family and people of his or her faith are punished," he said. "We don't like this. That's why I am here to vote in favour of Khalistan as a matter of my faith."
Harinder dismissed assertions the "referendum" had created friction within the Indian community in New Zealand.
"I have lots of Hindu friends who tell me [the] referendum is a particular issue for the Sikh community, which won't affect our love and brotherhood," he said."
A US-based separatist group held a non-binding "referendum" on the creation of an independent homeland for Sikhs within India in Auckland's Aotea Square on Sunday.
www.rnz.co.nz
Lelis will support the restaurant however desh bhakts may Boycott the restaurant as is allowed under new zealand charter of rights.