Auckland, New Zealand – A peaceful Sikh Nagar Kirtan procession in South Auckland was disrupted on Sunday, sparking condemnation from Sikh leaders and raising concerns about religious freedom. The incident occurred as the procession, a sacred Sikh tradition involving the singing of hymns from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and symbolizing unity, peace, and service to humanity, was returning to Gurdwara Nanaksar Thath Ishar Darbar in Manurewa.
According to reports, a group of 30 to 35 local youths blocked the procession route. The protesters, some of whom were reportedly linked to Brian Tamaki's Destiny Church, a Christian fundamentalist religious organization, performed a haka and displayed placards with messages such as "This is New Zealand, not India". The haka is a traditional Māori dance often characterized by aggressive body movements and chanting, and historically known as a war dance. Some witnesses described the use of haka in this context as deeply inappropriate.
Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), strongly condemned the disruption, calling it a threat to religious freedom and the spirit of universal brotherhood. He lauded the Sikh community for responding with remarkable restraint and dignity, staying true to the teachings of 'Chardi Kala' (eternal optimism) and 'Sarbat Da Bhala' (welfare of all). Badal has urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to intervene and raise the matter with the New Zealand government to protect the rights of the Indian diaspora and prevent recurrence of such incidents.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami also expressed deep concern over the incident, terming it a serious challenge to global social harmony. He emphasized that religious freedom and mutual respect are the hallmarks of any multicultural society and appealed to the governments of New Zealand and India to ensure a safe and supportive environment for Sikhs to observe their religious events.
Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj urged the New Zealand government to take serious note and act firmly against those attempting to disrupt communal harmony. He highlighted that Nagar Kirtans are organized only after official permissions, making it the responsibility of local authorities to ensure a safe and secure environment.
Local police intervened to defuse the situation, and after mediation, the protesters stepped aside, allowing the Nagar Kirtan to safely return to the Gurdwara Sahib. Authorities confirmed that no arrests were made and that investigations are ongoing to determine whether further action is required.
The incident has raised concerns among Sikh and other Indian-origin communities in New Zealand regarding the freedom to practice religion without fear or obstruction. Community representatives have called for stronger safeguards against similar disruptions in the future, emphasizing that Nagar Kirtans have been held peacefully in the country for years. Sikh community leaders are now seeking a meeting with local officials to ensure future religious processions are protected and respected.
