Sikh community targeted with death and hate messages amid holy procession

Winnipeg’s Sikh community faced a distressing incident as death and hate messages were spray-painted on signs along their procession route ahead of the annual Nagar Kirtan event. The Sikh holy scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, was carried in a procession through the city, accompanied by religious songs.

An image of the graffiti circulated on social media, depicting a death threat against Indians and a swastika symbol on a transit sign, alerting road closures for the event. Winnipeg police confirmed that several signs had been defaced with hate messages.

Nagar Kirtan attendee Jagmeet Brar expressed his confusion, stating, "I don’t know why people hate, or something like that, because nowadays the racism has gone beyond the lines." Harbans Singh Brar, president of the Sikh Society of Manitoba, reassured the community, saying, "It’s (hate) everywhere in the world. Don’t worry. Come here and enjoy yourself. We will pray for the whole community."

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew strongly condemned the hate graffiti, emphasizing that there is no place for racism against Sikhs or any other group in the province. Const. Claude Chancy reported that the police increased their presence at the event, and the graffiti is being treated as a hate crime.

Data from the Winnipeg Police Service’s 2025 statistical report reveals that hate-motivated crimes have more than doubled, increasing from 44 incidents in 2024 to 112 in 2025. The Sikh community is working together to maintain a positive attitude and stand strong against the hate they faced during the holy procession.