New Delhi: A Sikh religious procession in South Auckland was disrupted by local protestors who blocked the route and held placards stating, “This is New Zealand, not India," in an effort to halt the religious event.
The incident took place late last week during a Nagar Kirtan, a sacred Sikh procession, which had begun from Gurdwara Nanaksar Thath Ishar Darbar in Manurewa and was on its way back when it was stopped.
According to reports, around 30 to 35 local youths blocked the route of the procession. They performed the Haka dance, a traditional Maori dance, historically associated with war rituals and strong physical movements. As per an India Today report, the Sikhs did not respond to the aggression and maintained calm despite the open display of hostility.
Police reached the spot and intervened to control the situation. Reacting to the incident, Sukhbir Singh Badal, President of Punjab's Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) party, criticized the disruption, calling it an attack on religious freedom.
“Strongly condemn the disruption of the peaceful ‘Nagar Kirtan’ procession in South Auckland, New Zealand, by local protesters. Nagar Kirtan is a sacred Sikh tradition—a joyous religious parade involving the singing of hymns from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, promoting devotion, unity, and sharing of blessings with all humanity," Badal wrote on X.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami urged the New Zealand and Indian governments to ensure a safe and supportive environment for the Sikh community to observe religious traditions and peaceful coexistence.
