The Sikh community was subjected to messages of death and hatred amidst holy processions

Winnipeg’s Sikh community was upset after seeing death threats spray-painted on several signs along their procession route downtown ahead of Sunday’s event.

Nagar Kirtan is an annual event celebrating the holy scriptures of Sikhism. It features a procession carrying the Guru Granth Sahib, the religious scripture, along with songs of faith.

Images of graffiti circulating on social media showed death threats against Indians and swastikas on transit signs indicating road closures for the event. Winnipeg police confirmed some of the signs contained hate messages.

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“I don’t know why people hate, or anything like that, because nowadays racism has gone beyond borders,” said Jagmeet Brar, one of the participants.

The president of the Sikh Association of Manitoba says the community remains strong and maintains a positive attitude.

“It (hate) happens everywhere in the world,” said Harbans Singh Brar, president of the organization. “Don’t worry. Come here and have fun. We will pray for the whole community.”

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew condemned the hateful graffiti.

“There is no place for racism against Sikhs. There is no place for hatred against the Punjabi community, and there is no place for hatred in such activities in this province,” he said.

Constant. Claude Chancy said police increased their presence at the event. The graffiti is being investigated as a hate crime.

Hate-motivated crimes more than doubled, rising from 44 in 2024 to 112 in 2025, according to the Winnipeg Police Service’s 2025 statistical report.