Winnipeg Sikh Community Targeted With Death Threats Ahead of Nagar Kirtan Procession

Winnipeg Sikh Community Targeted With Death Threats Ahead of Nagar Kirtan Procession

Winnipeg’s Sikh community expressed disappointment and defiance this weekend after death threats and hate symbols were spray-painted on city signage along the route of an annual religious procession, an act police are now investigating as a hate crime.

The graffiti, which included a swastika and an anti-Indian death threat, was discovered on a Winnipeg Transit sign on Broadway ahead of Sunday’s Nagar Kirtan, an event that celebrates Sikhism’s holy scripture and typically draws thousands of attendees. Winnipeg police confirmed several signs along the procession route were tagged with hateful messages.

Despite the intimidation, the community went ahead with the celebration, with thousands gathering downtown on Sept. 6 to carry the Guru Granth Sahib, the religion’s holy book, through the streets accompanied by songs of faith. Organisers and political leaders alike condemned the vandalism while urging Winnipeggers to stand together against hatred.

Graffiti Discovered Along Procession Route

The threatening messages were circulating by Saturday, Sept. 5, as volunteers were setting up for the following day’s event. An image circulating on social media showed a transit sign advising of road closures for the Nagar Kirtan, defaced with a swastika and a written threat directed at Indians. CBC News verified the photograph and its location on Broadway.

Jagmeet Brar, an attendee who saw the image, said the incident left him shaken. “I don’t know why people hate, or something like that, because nowadays the racism has gone beyond the lines,” he told Global News.

The Winnipeg Police Hate Crimes Unit has taken carriage of the investigation. Const. Claude Chancy confirmed that officers increased their presence at the event in response to the threats, and that the graffiti is being treated as a hate-motivated crime.

Community Leaders Respond With Resolve

Harbans Singh Brar, president of the Sikh Society of Manitoba, acknowledged the hurt caused by the vandalism but struck a tone of resilience. “It’s (hate) everywhere in the world. Don’t worry. Come here and enjoy yourself. We will pray for the whole community,” he said, encouraging attendees to focus on the faith and fellowship at the heart of the procession.

His message was echoed by political representatives who rallied around the community in the hours after the graffiti came to light. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew issued a firm condemnation, stating: “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.”

Jasdeep Devgan, the New Democrat MLA for McPhillips, said excitement within the Sikh community had been building ahead of the event, and that the hateful image appeared designed “to de-motivate the Sikh community related to the Nagar Kirtan.” He described the rhetoric as “pretty violent” but expressed confidence that the community would show up to celebrate as it has in past years.

Diljeet Brar, the MLA for Burrows, took to social media to state that the hatred and racism in the comment run contrary to Canadian values.

What Is Nagar Kirtan?

Nagar Kirtan is an annual procession held by Sikh communities around the world to mark significant occasions in the faith’s calendar. The term translates roughly to “town hymn singing,” and the event features the Guru Granth Sahib — Sikhism’s eternal scripture — carried aloft in a decorated float, accompanied by devotees singing hymns, offering prayers, and providing free food and refreshments to all who attend.

In Winnipeg, the procession winds through the city’s downtown, drawing participants from across Manitoba and beyond. For many in the Sikh community, the event is a public expression of faith and a chance to share their traditions with neighbours of all backgrounds. The presence of the holy book at the centre of the procession underscores the religious significance of the gathering, which is both a spiritual observance and a community celebration.

Community leaders urged attendees not to be intimidated, and the decision to proceed with Sunday’s event reflected that determination. Thousands ultimately took part in the procession, which moved through the city without incident under the watch of an increased police presence.

Hate Crimes on the Rise in Winnipeg

The graffiti comes against a backdrop of sharply rising hate-motivated incidents in the city. According to the Winnipeg Police Service’s 2025 annual statistical report, hate-motivated crimes reported to police more than doubled, rising from 44 in 2024 to 112 in 2025 — a jump the service called a “significant departure from historical norms.”

Of the 112 reports filed last year, 49 were associated with race and ethnicity, 37 with religion, 10 with sexual orientation, seven with immigrants and newcomers, and two with gender. David Bowman, the police service’s director of organisational development and support, said broader global tensions were likely contributing to a real rise in incidents reflected in local reporting, while also acknowledging that improvements to online reporting had increased visibility of such crimes.

Police have previously noted that conflict in the Middle East led to an increase in reports of antisemitism and Islamophobia in the city. The latest incident targeting the Sikh community suggests that global and domestic currents of hatred are continuing to find expression in Winnipeg’s streets.

Investigation Underway

The Winnipeg Police Hate Crimes Unit is continuing its investigation into the graffiti, which was found on several signs in addition to the Broadway transit marker. Police have not yet announced any arrests, and it remains unclear whether the vandalism was the work of an individual or a coordinated effort.

Const. Chancy said the increased police presence at the Nagar Kirtan was intended to reassure attendees and deter any further incidents. Officers were visible along the procession route throughout the day, and the event passed off peacefully.

The investigation is focused on identifying those responsible for the graffiti. Hate-motivated crimes carry enhanced penalties under the Criminal Code, and convictions can result in more severe sentences than equivalent offences without a hate-motivated element.

Community Looks Ahead

For the Sikh Society of Manitoba and the wider community, the immediate task now is healing and continued vigilance. Harbans Singh Brar’s invitation to “come here and enjoy yourself” captured the mood of many attendees who refused to let the threats overshadow their celebration of faith.

Yet the incident has also sharpened concerns about the safety of religious and cultural minorities in Winnipeg. The doubling of hate-motivated crimes between 2024 and 2025, coupled with this latest act of vandalism, has prompted calls for renewed education and dialogue across the city.

Premier Kinew’s condemnation was unequivocal, and MLAs from across the political spectrum have voiced support for the Sikh community. Whether that political solidarity translates into concrete action — through enhanced policing, community programming, or broader anti-racism initiatives — remains to be seen.

For now, the community is counting its blessings. The procession went ahead, thousands participated, and the faith at the centre of the celebration remained undimmed by the hatred scrawled on a few signs. As one attendee put it, the racism may have “gone beyond the lines,” but so too has the community’s determination to gather, pray, and celebrate together.

Tags: Winnipeg, Nagar Kirtan, Sikh community, hate crime, Wab Kinew, Winnipeg Police Service, religious freedom, vandalism, Manitoba

By Alex Thompson, Staff Writer

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Sources: Global News (globalnews.ca), CBC News (cbc.ca), CTV News (ctvnews.ca).