NZ Sikhs demand “investigation into Indian interference” after national meet

A demand for a “formal independent investigation” by the New Zealand government into Indian interference in the country has been issued by Sikh community advocates after a national assembly this past weekend.

Over 200 Sikhs from across New Zealand gathered in Auckland for the assembly to address concerns of Indian State interference, an event which was swiftly organized after recent revelations from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of India’s involvement in the assassination of Canadian Sikh leader Shaheed (martyr) Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The assembly took place at at Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib on the afternoon of 8^th October. Prominent community figures from both New Zealand and Canada addressed attendees. Representatives of national groups New Zealand Sikh Youth, Sikh Aspirations and Gurdwara sevadaars (selfless servants, volunteers) spoke, along with virtual appearances by Canadian speakers, British Columbia Gurdwaras Council spokesperson Bhai Moninder Singh and legal advocate Bhai Prabjot Singh, editor of Panth Punjab.

With locals affirming concerns of India’s targeting of New Zealand’s Sikh community through real life experiences, a community advocacy panel was established on the day and assigned to immediately lobby for:

“The initiation of a formal independent investigation by the New Zealand Government into foreign Indian interference in New Zealand, which violates the sovereignty of New Zealand and poses a safety risk for Sikhs advocating for the right to self-determination (Khalistan).“

Along with the community advocacy, there was also consensus at an individual level to:

1. Encourage and support Sikhs who are capable of sincerely representing common Sikh interests, to participate in the governance and media of New Zealand.
2. Counter the defamatory and prejudiced disinformation against Sikhs, stemming from Indian media.
3. Confront vilification of the term ‘Khalistan,’ which translates to the ‘place of the Khalsa,’ a commonly used name in the honour of the Khalsa to refer to a sovereign Sikh homeland.
4. Place loyalty to Guru Granth and the Sikh panth, in alignment with the collective aspiration of the Sikh nation, continuing the endeavour of Shaheed Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Media who attended on the day were handed basic guidelines to help with balance and accuracy. New Zealand sangat (Sikh congregation) have raised various concerns about unfair media coverage which demonizes support for Khalistan (free Sikh homeland movement).

For more information or to speak with local community representatives about the meeting and related issues, email media@sikhpa.com.