Former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has strongly condemned the recent disruption of a peaceful Sikh Nagar Kirtan procession in South Auckland, New Zealand. In a significant move, he has written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging him to take up the matter with the New Zealand government to safeguard the rights of the Indian diaspora.
Badal's Strong Condemnation and Call for Action
In his communication dated Monday, December 21, 2025, Badal described the incident as a threat to "religious freedom and the spirit of universal brotherhood." He shared a video of the confrontation on social media platform X, using it to highlight the sanctity of the tradition. Badal explained that Nagar Kirtan is a sacred and joyous Sikh religious parade involving hymns from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, meant to promote devotion, unity, and blessings for all humanity.
He specifically urged EAM Jaishankar to raise the issue with authorities in New Zealand to ensure protective measures are implemented. Notably, Badal praised the Sikh community's response, stating, "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.’"
Details of the South Auckland Incident
The disruption occurred on Saturday, December 20, 2025, in the Manurewa area of South Auckland. According to reports from The New Zealand Herald, the protesters were linked to a group associated with right-wing leader Brian Tamaki's Destiny Church.
Visuals from the scene showed demonstrators forming a human chain to block the religious procession. They were carrying a large blue banner that read "This is New Zealand not India" and chanted "Jesus" and "One true God." Brian Tamaki, a known critic of immigration, shared a video of the event on X. In his post, he claimed that among the procession participants "were a strong contingent flying the Khalistan flags," and stated, "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."
Implications and the Road Ahead
This incident has brought international focus on the challenges faced by the Indian diaspora in exercising their religious and cultural rights abroad. Badal's direct appeal to India's External Affairs Minister underscores the expectation of diplomatic support from the home country for its citizens overseas. The event highlights the delicate balance between immigration, integration, and religious expression in multicultural societies.
The call for intervention aims to prevent such confrontations in the future and ensure that Sikh communities, and indeed all Indian diaspora groups, can observe their traditions peacefully without fear of disruption or intimidation. The response from the New Zealand government, following any diplomatic dialogue, will be closely watched.
