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Winnipeg’s Sikh community gathered for their annual Nagar Kirtan procession on Sunday, but the celebration was overshadowed by death threats and hate symbols spray-painted on signs along the downtown route before the event began.
Hate Graffiti Targets Sikh Nagar Kirtan Procession in Winnipeg
Nagar Kirtan is a sacred annual event that honors the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism. The procession features devotional singing and a ceremonial carrying of the holy book through city streets.
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Images of the graffiti spread quickly on social media. The photos showed a death threat directed at Indians and a swastika painted on a transit sign that had been posted to notify the public of road closures for the event. Winnipeg police confirmed that several signs along the route carried hate messages.
Attendee Jagmeet Brar expressed frustration at the discovery. “I don’t know why people hate, or something like that, because nowadays the racism has gone beyond the lines,” he said.
Sikh Community Responds with Resilience
Despite the threatening messages, community leaders urged members to remain positive and continue celebrating. Harbans Singh Brar, president of the Sikh Society of Manitoba, encouraged attendees not to let the hatred dampen the spirit of the occasion.
“It’s everywhere in the world,” he said. “Don’t worry. Come here and enjoy yourself. We will pray for the whole community.”
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew strongly condemned the graffiti. “There is no place for racism against Sikhs. There’s no place for hate for Punjabi people, and there’s no place for hate in that sort of activity in this province,” he said.
Police Launch Hate Crime Investigation
Winnipeg police increased their presence at the event in response to the threats. Const. Claude Chancy confirmed that investigators are treating the graffiti as a hate crime.
The incident reflects a troubling trend in the city. According to the Winnipeg Police Service’s 2025 statistical report, hate-motivated crimes more than doubled in a single year, rising from 44 incidents in 2024 to 112 in 2025.
The sharp increase has raised serious concerns among community groups and city officials about the growing prevalence of targeted hatred in Winnipeg.
