“Turn Your Backs on Them”: Ethnic Leaders Condemn Destiny Church Disruption of Sikh Parades
By Lions Roar News Community Desk
NEW ZEALAND (Saturday, January 17, 2026) — New Zealand’s ethnic and religious leaders are calling for calm and unity after a series of “hurtful” disruptions by groups linked to Brian Tamaki’s Destiny Church targeted peaceful Sikh religious processions.
The incidents, involving a group known as “True Patriots,” have seen protesters block streets with banners reading “This is New Zealand not India,” sparking national debate over religious freedom and the rise of extremist behavior.
🚫 “Not New Zealand Values”
Pancha Narayanan, President of Multicultural New Zealand, has urged the Sikh community and the wider public to ignore the provocations.
“New Zealanders regardless of their origin have the right to practice their faith,” Narayanan said. “In situations like this, I would say turn your backs on them. Destiny Church does not define New Zealanders.”
The Recent Disruptions:
- Manurewa (Dec 20): A religious procession (Nagar Kirtan) was confronted by protesters in “Kiwis First” shirts.
- Tauranga (Jan 11): A second peaceful parade was disrupted, leading to shock among families and children.
- The Tradition: Nagar Kirtan is a centuries-old Sikh tradition involving singing hymns and community walking—a practice held peacefully in NZ for decades.
🤝 A Call for Dialogue, Not Division
Despite feeling “hurt and disappointed,” Sikh leaders have responded with an open hand rather than a clenched fist.
Yugraj Singh Mahil, Vice President of the NZ Central Sikh Association, emphasized that the community remains calm. “We are a peaceful community… with dialogue, everything can be solved,” he said.
Puran Singh, President of Gurdwara Sikh Sangat, extended a direct invitation to the protesters: “We openly invite any group or individual who has concerns about Nagar Kirtan to sit with us and talk.”
⚖️ Pressure on Authorities
The disruptions have raised questions about police response and hate speech laws.
- No Arrests: Police confirmed that while they are monitoring the “True Patriots” group, no arrests were made at the Manurewa or Tauranga events.
- Security Meetings: Sikh leaders met with Police and local MPs in Tauranga on Wednesday to discuss safety for future events, as parents express growing concern for their children’s safety at school.
- Legal Gaps: Narayanan pointed to a “lack of clarity around hate speech” and called for an independent commissioner of religious affairs to adjudicate such conflicts.
🌏 International Ripples
The incidents have caught the attention of political leaders in Punjab, India. Former Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the protests and called on India’s foreign ministry to intervene, though NZ Sikh leaders maintain they trust the New Zealand government to handle the situation.
