Chandigarh, Dec 21 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday urged the Centre to take up with New Zealand government the issue of "disruption" of a peaceful Nagar Kirtan procession in south Auckland.
On being asked about the issue, Mann told reporters in Dhuri that the Centre should take up the matter with the New Zealand government.
On the Nagar Kirtan procession that was taken out in south Auckland on Saturday, he said everyone has the right to propagate their religion.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader also said Punjabis are hardworking and wherever they go, they contribute to the development of that place.
Badal urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to raise the matter with the New Zealand government and ensure that strong measures are taken to protect the rights of the Indian diaspora and prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
"Strongly condemn the disruption of the peaceful 'Nagar Kirtan' procession in South Auckland, New Zealand, yesterday by local protesters," Badal said in a post on X.
Such intimidation threatens religious freedom and the spirit of universal brotherhood, he added.
Badal said Nagar Kirtan is a sacred and joyous religious parade of Sikhs, involving the singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib and promoting devotion and unity.
"I am glad to note that the Sikh community responded with remarkable restraint and peace despite provocation, true to Guru Sahib's teachings of 'Chardi Kala' and 'Sarbat Da Bhala'," he said.
Meanwhile, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the Sikh community has always made an exemplary contribution to the welfare, peace, tolerance and progress of the global community.
Despite this, viewing Sikh religious traditions through a lens of hatred is highly condemnable, Dhami said, referring to "disruption" of the Nagar Kirtan.
Dhami said the foundation of Sikhism rests on the principles of Sarbat da Bhala (welfare of all), brotherhood and service to humanity.
Nagar Kirtan is a sacred religious tradition of Sikh faith that conveys a message of mutual harmony, love and unity in society. Opposing such religious events is a direct attack on the universal message of the Sikh gurus, he said.
He further stated that the Sikh community, spread across various countries around the world, has always lived in harmony with local populations and consistently respected the laws and cultures of the countries they reside in.
Through langars (community kitchens) and selfless service during Sikh religious events, a message of service to humanity is conveyed, which strengthens social cohesion, he said.
The SGPC president appealed to the governments of New Zealand and India to take serious note of the matter and ensure a safe and supportive environment for the Sikh community to observe their religious events.
Religious freedom and mutual respect are the true hallmarks of any multicultural society, he emphasised.
Dhami also urged influential Sikhs in New Zealand to engage in dialogue with the local government and people who opposed the event, and discuss the issue amicably.
Efforts should be made to resolve the matter in accordance with the teachings of Sikh gurus, and an atmosphere of bitterness should be avoided, he added.