Not a protest but a provocation: 1st Sikh MP of NZ

Jalandhar: After the incident involving a group of protesters linked to ‘Apostle Bishop' Brian Tamaki, who leads the Pentecostal organisation, the Destiny Church, confronting a Sikh Nagar Kirtan (religious procession) in Manurewa, a suburb in South Auckland, New Zealand, former New Zealand MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi said this was not a protest but a provocation.Bakshi was the first Indian-origin and the first Sikh MP of New Zealand.
In a lengthy and nuanced post on his Facebook wall, Bakshi wrote: "The right to protest is a cornerstone of democracy, but it carries a fundamental responsibility – to respect others' rights. The facts are clear. Members of True Patriots, a Destiny Church-affiliated group, positioned themselves to confront hundreds of Sikhs participating in a Nagar Kirtan — a peaceful procession from the Nanaksar Sikh Temple in Manurewa. The Sikh community followed proper channels, obtaining permission for their 5-kilometre walk.""This was not a protest. This was a provocation," wrote Bakshi. "When True Patriots claim to ‘keep NZ NZ', they are not defending any authentic tradition. They are inventing a monocultural fantasy that never existed. Pre-colonial Māori society was diverse and interconnected. Māori, Pākehā, Pasifika, Asian, and European communities have built post-colonial New Zealand. Our identity is not a static photograph; it is a moving picture, constantly redefined by those who choose to make a life here," he argued."Why did the True Patriots not protest when the Indians and Sikhs, in particular, distributed thousands of food parcels during the Covid lockdown to help fellow Kiwis without any discrimination of religion or ethnicity? Where were they during a difficult time?" Bakshi asked, as he also posted pictures of the Sikhs providing food during the Covid-19 lockdown.The New Zealand Central Sikh Association has issued an appeal to the Sikh community to remain calm and composed. "We are proud of our community's responsible and peaceful response yesterday (Saturday). We respectfully ask all members not to make any irresponsible or unjustified statements," NZCSA president Daljit Singh said, adding that they were in contact with the relevant authorities since the incident."We would also like to share that various other communities are in touch to support the Sikh community, and our unity and commitment to peace will remain our strongest pillars," he added.Several New Zealanders, in their social media comments, recalled the services by the Sikhs during Covid in providing food to the people and helping in other ways.Meanwhile, Brian Tamaki, who heads the Pentecostal organisation, the Destiny Church, and whose supporters confronted the Nagar Kirtan, wrote on his Facebook account: "This is why True Patriots of NZ had to put a stake in the ground to oppose a takeover by India." He also posted a video clip of NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon attending a Hindu event.In a separate post to further justify his supporters confronting the Nagar Kirtan, while using the video footage of the stand-off, he wrote: "Amongst these Sikhs was 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."There were calls in the Sikh social media space for a calm reaction. The common refrain was that the community should not fall for the binary of "all Christian versus Sikhs" or "Maoris versus Sikhs", as Brian Tamaki was seeking to make it. There were also calls for debate within the Sikh community on such issues and emerging challenges.Centre should take up matter with NZ govt: MannAsked about the Nagar Kirtan protest in New Zealand, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on Sunday said the Centre should take up this matter with the New Zealand govt. He said New Zealand was an educated country and that the issue of migration had become a global concern. He also reiterated his govt's commitment to safeguarding the interests of Punjab and Punjabis.MSID:: 126106042 413 |

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