Opposition parties in New Zealand oppose Khalistani flags !

Political outrage even over legal exemptions granted to Sikhs !

Auckland (New Zealand) – With general elections scheduled in New Zealand in 2026, efforts to create a charged religious atmosphere have already begun. Over the past few days, the Brian Tamaki group, which has been opposing Sikh religious processions (nagar kirtans), along with the ‘New Nation’ party, has started targeting Indians, particularly Sikhs. Protests are being held against demonstrations where Khalistani flags are carried. Along with this, opposition is being expressed to laws that exempt Sikhs wearing turbans from compulsory helmet use while riding two-wheelers up to a speed limit of 50 km, as well as laws that permit Sikhs to carry the kirpan as a religious weapon. Overall, there is growing opposition in New Zealand to large-scale immigration.

Statement by a Tamaki supporter “One day, there will be mosques everywhere in New Zealand !”

A supporter of Brian Tamaki stated that they are not opposing Sikhs as such. According to him, the opposition is to the waving of Khalistani flags, the existence of two different sets of laws within one country, and the increasing number of foreigners. He claimed that the government is surrendering to foreign ideologies, as a result of which immigrants are gradually gaining more freedoms. He added that Islam is following the same path and that one day there will be mosques everywhere, with the azaan being called out five times a day. He further alleged that there will be large Indian temples with 50-foot statues across the country.

Rising presence of terrorist groups and their flags is a matter of concern !

Brent Douglas of the ‘New Nation’ party said that he has many Indian friends who live in New Zealand as ‘Kiwis’ and not as they would in India. He claimed that terrorist Sikh organisations are flying Khalistani flags on the streets of New Zealand. He asserted that their opposition is specifically to Khalistani flags and not to any Sikh religious flags. According to him, the increasing presence of terrorist groups and their flags in New Zealand is a serious cause for concern.

Editorial Perspective

Opposition to Khalistani flags is being projected as resistance to extremism, but it is simultaneously fuelling hostility towards Sikhs and Indians in general, thereby risking social polarisation under the pretext of national security and immigration concerns.