CHANDIGARH: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami has expressed serious concern over protests by some local residents against the peaceful religious decoration of a Nagar Kirtan by Sikhs in New Zealand.
Dhami said the Sikh community has consistently contributed to global welfare, peace, tolerance and progress, adding that viewing Sikh religious traditions with hatred is highly condemnable. He said Sikhism is rooted in the welfare of all and that Nagar Kirtan is a sacred tradition conveying messages of cooperation, love and unity in society. Opposing such events, he said, strikes at the core teachings of the Sikh Gurus.
The SGPC president said Sikhs living across the world have always coexisted harmoniously with local communities and respected the laws and cultures of their host countries, which strengthens social cohesion.
Urging the governments of New Zealand and India to take serious note of the matter, Dhami called for a safe and supportive environment for the Sikh community to hold the event in line with their religious rights. He said religious freedom and mutual respect are central to any multicultural society.
Dhami also appealed to leading Sikh figures in New Zealand to engage in dialogue with the government and protesters to resolve the issue in accordance with the teachings of the Gurus and to prevent bitterness.
