Post by : Badri Ariffin

For the second time in just three weeks, a religious procession for the Sikh community in New Zealand faced interruption from a right-wing group, sparking worries about the state of religious freedom and social harmony in the nation.

The recent incident occurred on Sunday in Tauranga, approximately 225 kilometres from Auckland, where the Sikh community had gathered for a Nagar Kirtan celebrating the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhism.

The peaceful procession commenced at around 11 am from the Gurdwara Sikh Sangat, proceeding along Cameron Road towards Tauranga Boys’ College when individuals associated with Pentecostal leader Brian Tamaki and the Destiny Church attempted to obstruct the gathering.

The protesters performed the traditional Haka dance while displaying banners that proclaimed, "This is New Zealand, not India," seemingly aimed at halting the Sikh procession. Local police, anticipating potential unrest, had already enhanced security measures along the route.

Thanks to the collaboration between police and Sikh volunteers, the situation was managed effectively, allowing the procession to finish without significant conflict or injuries.

Afterwards, Brian Tamaki posted a video of the protest on social media, stating, "WHOSE STREETS? KIWI STREETS. The True Patriots Are Not Backing Down." Another post framed the protest as an act of "peaceful defiance" rather than violence.

These repeated disruptions have elicited strong reactions from Sikh organizations both in India and abroad. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in Amritsar voiced deep concern, labeling the occurrences as targeted interference in Sikh religious events.

SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami condemned the event, describing it as a "threat to social unity." He criticized the hostile perspective toward Sikh traditions, asserting it undermines the principles of coexistence and mutual respect.

"Nagar Kirtan is a revered practice of Sikhism. Resistance against it constitutes an affront to humanitarian values and a risk to communal harmony," Dhami stated, urging both New Zealand and Indian governments to impose stringent consequences on those accountable.

A similar disturbance occurred nearly three weeks ago in Auckland when another Sikh procession commemorating the martyrdom of Sahibzadas was similarly challenged, which incited severe reactions from Sikh leaders in India.

The ongoing incidents have sparked serious discussions about the safety of minority religious communities and the pressing need for enhanced protections for peaceful religious expression in New Zealand.

#Global News