A Sikh Nagar Kirtan held in South Auckland, New Zealand, on Saturday (December 20) sparked controversy after it was met with a protest featuring a traditional Māori haka dance, triggering political reactions in India and reopening debates around immigration and overseas political movements.
According to a report by the Indian Express, the religious procession was underway in Manurewa, a suburb of South Auckland, when a local group opposed to the event blocked its route as it moved towards a gurdwara.
The protestors used cultural symbols, including the haka, described on New Zealand Tourism’s website as “a show of physical prowess but also an embodiment of cultural pride, strength, and unity, while also raising anti-immigration slogans and objecting to what they described as foreign political influences. Police later intervened and removed the protestors to prevent the situation from escalating.
The incident drew responses from several Punjab-based leaders. When asked to comment, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said the matter should be taken up by the Central government with the New Zealand authorities. He underlined the right of individuals to practise and promote their religion and highlighted the contributions made by Punjabis as immigrants across the world.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Akal Takht acting Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargajj also weighed in on the issue. Meanwhile, objections raised by South Auckland activists, led by Brian Tamaki, have brought renewed focus on immigration, multiculturalism and what some describe as “imported political conflicts", the Indian Express has reported.
Tamaki, who led the protest, claimed the Nagar Kirtan featured symbols and slogans linked to overseas political movements that could threaten social cohesion in New Zealand.
In a social media post, he alleged, “Amongst these Sikhs were a strong contingent flying the Khalistan flags. The Khalistan movement is a terrorist Sikh political movement, linked overseas to terrorist violence and instability. They call out on Auckland streets for Modi to be killed. Their symbols and activism are now being openly displayed here in New Zealand…with no scrutiny and no accountability. NZ Police do nothing. Our politicians are even defending them,” as quoted by the Indian Express.
He further criticised what he described as “mass immigration without assimilation” and said the government was “asleep at the wheel”. While Tamaki maintained that his opposition was not against Sikhs or their religious practices, but against political activism during public religious events, he has previously questioned multiculturalism in Western societies.
Earlier this year, on June 21, a group led by Tamaki organised an anti-immigration rally displaying flags associated with Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism. Protesters carried banners reading, “NZ’s official religion: Christianity,” and chanted slogans about “Christian values, Kiwi identity, and the future of this nation,” as quoted by the Indian Express.
The incident has also highlighted the growing presence and visibility of the Sikh community in New Zealand. While Indian migration to the country is relatively recent compared to Australia, records of Indians arriving in New Zealand date back to the mid-19th century.
According to the Indian Express, Sikh migrants, familiar with British administrative systems, found work opportunities in countries such as New Zealand, Australia, the UK and Canada. According to Census data, New Zealand’s Sikh population rose from around 5,000 in 2001 to over 53,000 in 2023.
At the same time, pockets of the Sikh diaspora in Western countries have continued to revive demands for Khalistan, a separate Sikh state, after the movement declined in India following the government crackdown in the 1980s. Allegations of extra-judicial actions during that period have contributed to lingering grievances among some who later migrated overseas.
With the political participation of Indians increasing in New Zealand, leaders have often been cautious in addressing Khalistan-related issues. However, the global rise in anti-immigration sentiment has intensified scrutiny and criticism. New Zealand, like other Western nations, has faced concerns from the Indian government on this front.
During a visit to New Zealand in March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the issue with his counterpart Christopher Luxon, stating, “We will continue to cooperate together against terrorist, separatist and radical elements. In this context, we shared our concern about anti-India activities by some illegal elements in New Zealand,” as quoted by the Indian Express.
An official Indian spokesperson later said, “We do alert our friends to the activities of anti-India elements in their countries and their abuse of freedom of speech and other democratic freedoms to glorify terrorism and to threaten attacks against our diplomats, our parliament or our events in India. So these were also conveyed. The government of New Zealand has been receptive and has taken our concerns on board in the past as well…”, the Indian Express has reported.
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