Parliamentary discussion on Disruption of Sikh Religious Procession

 

By

Dr. Somita Chakraborty


On 6th February, 2026, the Lok Sabha discussed the incident of disruption of Sikh Nagar Kirtan in New Zealand.

Honourable Member of Parliament, Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, expressed her concern in Lok Sabha, regarding recent incident of disruption of Sikh religious procession (Nagar Kirtan) in New Zealand. Smt. Badal asked detail information about the alleged disruption of Sikh Nagar Kirtan organized to mark the Parkash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Kirtan was confronted and disrupted by a local group.  

The Member of the Parliament, also informed that the incident was the second such disruption of Sikh religious procession. The previous incident took place in South Auckland, New Zealand.

Smt. Badal also conveyed the concerns of various Sikh organizations and political leaders, who found the act as a threat to religious freedom of all Indian-origin communities leaving abroad. Her question also included queries related to diplomatic initiatives taken by the Government of India against targeted disruption of religious events abroad.

Shri Pabitra Margherita, the Minister of State, (MEA), acknowledged that the Government is aware of the alleged disruption of Sikh Nagar Kirtan, organized by ‘Gurudwara Sikh Sangat’, Burrows St. Tauranga, New Zealand. The Kirtan was allegedly disrupted by a group named, ‘The True Patriots of New Zealand’. The group is known for its strong social conservatism. The group is also said to be linked to Destiny Church, a New Zealand Christian group. The group describes itself as "Guardians of the Kiwi Way of Life; Defenders of Faith, Flag & Family”.

Shri Margherita also acknowledged that the Government of India noticed the incident. He also informed the Parliament that the Nagar Kirtan was organized with prior approval from the Tauranga City Council and advance information was provided to the local law enforcement authorities in New Zealand. He also informed the Parliament that the New Zealand Police was present on the spot and procession continued without any confrontation with the protesters.

Shri Margherita acknowledged that on December 20, 2025, a Sikh Nagar Kirtan, organized by the Sikh community from Nanaksar Gurudwara, Manurewa, Auckland was also confronted by the same group (The True Patriots of New Zealand).

About the incident, Shri Margherita informed the Parliament that the group, comprising of around 50 people, performed a haka (a form kind of protest). However, the New Zealand Police intervened and escorted the protesters out from the area. The Nagar Kirtan was allowed to continue safely.

The Minister of the State (MEA) also informed the Parliament that the Government of India has taken up the issue with the Government of New Zealand. He also informed that the High Commission of India in Wellington, maintains close contact with the local community leaders, including those from the Sikh community to ensure their security and well-being. Following these two incidents, the New Zealand Police has held meetings with the local Sikh community leaders, Nagar Kirtan organizers and High Commission of India assuring them of full cooperation.

For detail

QUESTION NO-1345 ATTACK ON SIKH PROCESSION IN NEW ZEALAND

https://www.mea.gov.in/lok-sabha.htm?dtl/40701/QUESTION_NO1345_ATTACK_ON_SIKH_PROCESSION_IN_NEW_ZEALAND

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Parliament discussion on Status of investigation on the 1985 Kanishka Bombing

  By Dr. S. Chakraborty On 6 th February, 2025, Shri Kartikeya Sharma, member of Rajya Sabha, expressed his concern regarding the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the 1985 Kanishka bombing. The attack claimed 329 lives, among them majority were India-origin, and 24 Indian nationals. He asked the current status of India's engagement with the Canadian Government and other partners, regarding the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the Kanishka bombing and the details thereof; he also asked the details of the steps being taken by the Ministry to ensure that all perpetrators of the bombing are extradited to India; and whether there is any mechanism in place to ensure that the Canadian Government is held accountable for any perceived lapses in their investigation or prosecution of the perpetrators, if so, the details thereof? Answering the question, the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh clearly ...
Read more

MOS (PM) is going to visit Papua New Guinea

  By Dr. Somita Chakraborty Mr. Pabitra Margherita, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles [MOS (PM)] is going to visit Papua New Guinea on 16 th September, 2025, to represent PM Shri Narendra Modi at the commemorative events marking the Island countries 50 th anniversary of   Independence. The official statement of the Ministry of External Affairs stated that ‘he is expected to have   bilateral meetings with the political leadership of Papua New Guinea.’ He is also expected to  interact with the Indian diaspora and the business community of the Papua New Guinea. The visit with help to continue India’s engagement with the leadership in the Pacific Island  Countries (PIC). For detail Visit of MoS(PM) to Papua New Guinea (September 16, 2025)
Read more

Rare Earth Minerals and US-China Trade Face Off

  By Dr. Somita Chakraborty F rom the beginning of 2025, the US-China relation witnessing severe problems regarding rare earth minerals. Recently, China has begun to impose restriction on its rare earth mineral export. As a response, US president Trump announced to imposed all total 130% tariff on Chinese goods. In this context, it becomes necessary to find out a few answers, they are, 1)       What are rare earth minerals? 2)       What is its importance? And 3)       Its connection with US-China trade face off What are rare earth minerals? ‘Rare earth minerals’ are 17 metallic elements in the periodic table. These metals have unusual amount of conductive and magnetic properties. These qualities make them very useful when alloyed or mixed in small quantities with iron. As the name suggest, ironically, these metals are not rare and are found in many places around the world. Some of them...
Read more