Protests in Auckland over desecration of Sikh holy book
In the past week, the state of Punjab has seen staged protests, strikes and blockades. Sikhs in several cities have taken to the street to express their anger over the torn-up copy of Sri Granth Sahib that was found in the Faridkot district. However, the protests led to a clash with the police. Fires were shot, killing two protestors and injuring several others. The killings have further angered the protestors, who are only demanding the arrest of miscreants.
The religious anguish was seen in different parts of Auckland as protests were held in the city and Manukau.
Protests at Diwali celebration, Auckland city
It was contrasting scenes in a small corner of Queen Street last weekend. Even as Auckland was celebrating Diwali at Aotea Square, outside the event, two people held up posters raising a peaceful voice against violence in Punjab, India. By the end of the first day, nearly 100 people of different religious beliefs joined the protests. Same was the story the next day as protests were held peacefully without disrupting the event.
When Indian Weekender caught up with the protestors, they shared their reasons for their protests.
Davender Singh, one of the protesters said,“Even though everyone is entitled to celebrate an event, we feel it is not a time to celebrate. There are people dying back home in the name of religion. There is police brutality. Just the other day, two people were killed in a police firing. This is definitely not an atmosphere for celebrations.”
Satinder Pal Singh Pannu who joined the protests said, “It was great to see many voluntarily joining us in protests but at the same time it was sad to see Sikh youths here getting drunk and enjoying the celebrations when our religion is being attacked back home. There needs to be a strong and a peaceful message sent to the government of India and Punjab that such brutality is not acceptable. If we don’t unite it will be difficult for our religion to even survive. Again we want to clarify that this protest is not against any religion but against the Indian government.”
The protestors were also generous in appreciation for the organisers of the event, who gave them security and allowed them to protest peacefully. There were instances when some people in small groups came to the protestors and started to argue but the alert security personals made sure that there was no disruption in peace. Loveleen, one of the two who started the protest said, “There is a lot Indian government could learn from the way our protest is being handled by the organisers here. We are given good security so that we can protest in peace.”
One of the main reasons for the protests was shooting by the police in Punjab that killed two people. When pointed out the reason given by the police about how mob turned violent, Loveleen says, “Nothing justifies open fire by the police on innocent people. Even if the protests were violent, police had all the gear to protect themselves. People can’t be wearing bullet proof jackets while protesting. Nothing can justify the act by police.”
Protest by New Zealand Sikh Sangat in Manukau
The Sikh community gathered in Manukau Square on October 18 to protest against the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib and the police brutality on Sikhs at Kotkapura, Punjab. Sikhs from all parts of the world are joining the protest. The Sikh community from many different organisations got together and protested against the Punjab government. The members of the associations who were present to support the cause were The Auckland Sikh Society, New Zealand Sikh Society, Hamilton, Nanaksar Thaath, Manurewa, Guru RavidasSabha, Bombay Hill, Ambedkar Sports Club Pukekohe, Punjabi Cultural Association, New Zealand Indian Central Association, Life Vision Society, Guru Tegh Bahadar Gurudwara, Papatoetoe, Desh Punjab Sports Club, Sangat from Gurudwara Harkrishan Sahib, New Lynn, Sikh Sangat from Tauranga and Auckland Sikh Sangat. NZ First Party MP Mahesh Bindra also joined the protest.
Members of the Sikh organisations also warned the government of Punjab that they will not welcome any Punjab government representatives. All the associations decided to financially support the families of the people who died during this protest in Kotakpura during police firing.
In the past week, the state of Punjab has seen staged protests, strikes and blockades. Sikhs in several cities have taken to the street to express their anger over the torn-up copy of Sri Granth Sahib that was found in the Faridkot district. However, the protests led to a clash with the police....
In the past week, the state of Punjab has seen staged protests, strikes and blockades. Sikhs in several cities have taken to the street to express their anger over the torn-up copy of Sri Granth Sahib that was found in the Faridkot district. However, the protests led to a clash with the police. Fires were shot, killing two protestors and injuring several others. The killings have further angered the protestors, who are only demanding the arrest of miscreants.
The religious anguish was seen in different parts of Auckland as protests were held in the city and Manukau.
Protests at Diwali celebration, Auckland city
It was contrasting scenes in a small corner of Queen Street last weekend. Even as Auckland was celebrating Diwali at Aotea Square, outside the event, two people held up posters raising a peaceful voice against violence in Punjab, India. By the end of the first day, nearly 100 people of different religious beliefs joined the protests. Same was the story the next day as protests were held peacefully without disrupting the event.
When Indian Weekender caught up with the protestors, they shared their reasons for their protests.
Davender Singh, one of the protesters said,“Even though everyone is entitled to celebrate an event, we feel it is not a time to celebrate. There are people dying back home in the name of religion. There is police brutality. Just the other day, two people were killed in a police firing. This is definitely not an atmosphere for celebrations.”
Satinder Pal Singh Pannu who joined the protests said, “It was great to see many voluntarily joining us in protests but at the same time it was sad to see Sikh youths here getting drunk and enjoying the celebrations when our religion is being attacked back home. There needs to be a strong and a peaceful message sent to the government of India and Punjab that such brutality is not acceptable. If we don’t unite it will be difficult for our religion to even survive. Again we want to clarify that this protest is not against any religion but against the Indian government.”
The protestors were also generous in appreciation for the organisers of the event, who gave them security and allowed them to protest peacefully. There were instances when some people in small groups came to the protestors and started to argue but the alert security personals made sure that there was no disruption in peace. Loveleen, one of the two who started the protest said, “There is a lot Indian government could learn from the way our protest is being handled by the organisers here. We are given good security so that we can protest in peace.”
One of the main reasons for the protests was shooting by the police in Punjab that killed two people. When pointed out the reason given by the police about how mob turned violent, Loveleen says, “Nothing justifies open fire by the police on innocent people. Even if the protests were violent, police had all the gear to protect themselves. People can’t be wearing bullet proof jackets while protesting. Nothing can justify the act by police.”
Protest by New Zealand Sikh Sangat in Manukau
The Sikh community gathered in Manukau Square on October 18 to protest against the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib and the police brutality on Sikhs at Kotkapura, Punjab. Sikhs from all parts of the world are joining the protest. The Sikh community from many different organisations got together and protested against the Punjab government. The members of the associations who were present to support the cause were The Auckland Sikh Society, New Zealand Sikh Society, Hamilton, Nanaksar Thaath, Manurewa, Guru RavidasSabha, Bombay Hill, Ambedkar Sports Club Pukekohe, Punjabi Cultural Association, New Zealand Indian Central Association, Life Vision Society, Guru Tegh Bahadar Gurudwara, Papatoetoe, Desh Punjab Sports Club, Sangat from Gurudwara Harkrishan Sahib, New Lynn, Sikh Sangat from Tauranga and Auckland Sikh Sangat. NZ First Party MP Mahesh Bindra also joined the protest.
Members of the Sikh organisations also warned the government of Punjab that they will not welcome any Punjab government representatives. All the associations decided to financially support the families of the people who died during this protest in Kotakpura during police firing.
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