‘Sikh community responded with remarkable restraint’: Punjab leader Badal writes to Jaishankar after Nagar Kirtan disrupted in New Zealand

Badal urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to raise the matter with the New Zealand government to ensure that measures are taken to protect the rights of the Indian diaspora.

Sharing a video of the incident on X, Badal wrote: “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.”

“I am glad to note that the Sikh community responded with remarkable restraint and peace despite provocation—true to Guru Sahib’s teachings of ‘Chardi kala’ and ‘Sarbat Da Bhala,’” he added.

Destiny Church-linked group disrupts Nagar Kirtan procession

The incident on Saturday involved demonstrators linked to New Zealand right-wing leader Brian Tamaki’s Destiny Church, according to The New Zealand Herald.

Visuals show the protestors, who were carrying a large, blue banner with the words ‘This is New Zealand not India’, forming a human chain to block the Sikh religious procession in Manurewa, while chanting “Jesus” and “One true God.”

Tamaki has been an ardent critic of immigration, voicing his opinion on a range of topics, including the recent Bondi Beach attack in Sydney, Australia.

According to Tamaki – who also shared a video of the incident that unfolded on the streets of South Auckland – amongst the participants of the religious procession “were a strong contingent flying the Khalistan flags.”

“If you come here, you adapt to New Zealand’s ways…You don’t bring separatist agendas, religions, racial division, or foreign power struggles with you,” Tamaki wrote on X.

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