A religious procession of the Sikh community in South Auckland, New Zealand, was confronted by a group linked to a Pentecostal church leader, sparking accusations of provocation and a debate on multiculturalism. The incident occurred in the suburb of Manurewa, where members of the 'True Patriots', affiliated with Apostle Bishop Brian Tamaki's Destiny Church, positioned themselves to face a Nagar Kirtan, a peaceful Sikh religious march.
Former NZ MP Bakshi's Strong Condemnation
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, the first Indian-origin and first Sikh MP of New Zealand, issued a detailed response on Facebook. He asserted that the act was not a legitimate protest but a deliberate provocation. Bakshi emphasized that the Sikh community had obtained proper permission for their 5-kilometre walk, which began from the Nanaksar Sikh Temple in Manurewa.
"The right to protest is a cornerstone of democracy, but it carries a fundamental responsibility – to respect others' rights," Bakshi wrote. He challenged the narrative of the True Patriots, who claim to 'keep NZ NZ'. Bakshi argued they are promoting a monocultural fantasy, ignoring New Zealand's diverse history built by Māori, Pākehā, Pasifika, Asian, and European communities.
He pointedly asked why the group did not protest when the Sikh and Indian communities distributed thousands of food parcels indiscriminately during the Covid-19 lockdown to help fellow Kiwis. Bakshi shared pictures of this service to underscore his point.
Community Calls for Calm and Political Reactions
The New Zealand Central Sikh Association (NZCSA) appealed for calm and responsibility. NZCSA president Daljit Singh praised the community's peaceful response on Saturday and urged members to avoid making irresponsible statements. He confirmed they were in contact with authorities and noted support from other communities.
On social media, many New Zealanders echoed Bakshi's sentiments, recalling the Sikh community's humanitarian efforts during the pandemic.
In India, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reacted on Sunday, stating that the Indian government should take up the matter with New Zealand authorities. He described New Zealand as an educated country and mentioned that migration is a global concern, reiterating his government's commitment to protecting the interests of Punjabis.
Destiny Church Leader's Justification and Sikh Response
Brian Tamaki, leader of the Destiny Church, defended the actions of his supporters on Facebook. He claimed the True Patriots had to "put a stake in the ground to oppose a takeover by India." In a separate post using footage from the stand-off, he alleged the presence of Khalistan flags in the procession, calling the movement terrorist-linked and accusing New Zealand police and politicians of inaction.
Within Sikh social media circles, there were strong calls for a measured reaction. Many urged the community not to fall into the binary trap of "all Christian versus Sikhs" or "Maoris versus Sikhs," as they believe Tamaki is attempting to create. There were also calls for internal dialogue within the Sikh community to address such emerging challenges.
