Sri Amritsar-Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, has strongly condemned the incident in which a Nagar Kirtan being organized by the Sikh community was opposed by certain mischievous elements in the town of Manurewa in South Auckland, New Zealand. Terming the incident a challenge to the Sikh community and to social and communal harmony, he said such acts threaten peaceful coexistence in society.
Jathedar Gargajj stated that a group of individuals—reportedly led by a person named Brian Tamaki, a controversial leader of a group—deliberately misused local customs and traditions of New Zealand to create a hateful atmosphere and challenge the Sikh community. He said the New Zealand government must take serious note of this matter and act firmly against such elements who are attempting to create bitterness and disrupt communal harmony.
He emphasized that Sikhs respect all religions and faiths, and likewise it is the responsibility of others to respect the religious freedom of Sikhs. He pointed out that Nagar Kirtans are organized only after obtaining official permissions, and therefore it is the responsibility of the local administration to ensure a safe and secure environment. According to information received from Sikhs in New Zealand, he said, the local Māori community lives in harmony with the Sikh community, and the recent incident appears to be the handiwork of only a single mischievous group.
Following the incident, the management committees of 25 Gurdwaras in New Zealand have been in continuous contact with the local government and police administration. Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj assured them of full support from Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Jathedar Gargajj said that through hard work and intelligence, Sikhs today live in various countries across the world and have earned respect and recognition. He noted that in New Zealand and other countries, Sikhs have established themselves by diligently following local laws and regulations and have obtained citizenship or work permits through lawful means. Wherever they reside, he said, Sikhs make significant contributions to the progress and development of those societies, and they have similarly contributed positively to New Zealand’s growth and development.
He further said that the Sikh community prays daily for the welfare of all humanity and is a peace-loving community. He appreciated the Sikh community in New Zealand for maintaining restraint and discipline despite the opposition by some local elements, and for not giving in to any provocation. Stressing that discipline and a spirit of dedication are central to Sikh teachings, he asked the Sikh community in New Zealand to remain vigilant and to address such situations strictly through lawful and peaceful means.
Jathedar Gargajj directed Sikh leaders in New Zealand to engage in dialogue with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, local government leaders, and senior leaders of the Māori community to discuss the issue and to inform them about Sikh values and traditions. He said Sikhs in New Zealand should work with the local government to ensure that a safe environment is provided for organizing Nagar Kirtans and other Sikh religious events in the future, so that such incidents do not recur.
The Jathedar also asked New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Foreign Minister Winston Peters, and India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to give special attention to the matter and ensure that mischievous elements are not allowed to harm the spirit of cooperation and harmony between the two countries and the communities.