SGPC condemns opposition to nagar kirtan in New Zealand

Amritsar: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has condemned the opposition to the nagar kirtan by the local Maori group in New Zealand.In a statement issued here on Sunday, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said there was disappointment in the hearts of the Sikhs since this was the second such incident in New Zealand.
Stating that the nagar kirtan is a sacred religious tradition of Sikhism, Dhami said opposing it was a challenge not only to the humanitarian values of Sikhism but also to social harmony and mutual coexistence in society.Activists from The True Patriots of New Zealand – a group linked to Destiny Church – reportedly attempted to disrupt the nagar kirtan by performing a haka – Maori cultural dance – while holding a banner that read: "This is New Zealand, not India."The incident was reported from Tauranga, New Zealand. Earlier in December, a nagar kirtan organised to mark the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas was disrupted by the protesters in the Manurewa suburb of South Auckland, New Zealand.Dhami appealed to the govts of New Zealand and India to take serious note of the matter and to take strict action against those responsible.MSID:: 126465108 413 |