Thousands of Manitoban Sikhs came together in Winnipeg for the annual Nagar Kirtan Parade Sunday undeterred by threats against the event in recent days.
Harbans Singh Brar, president of the Sikh Society of Manitoba, said the event was very meaningful to the Sikh community.
“All of the families come here and enjoy the day and enjoy the food and we walk behind our gurus, so we feel so proud,” Brar said.
Nagar Kirtan Parade in Winnipeg on Sept. 6, 2026 (Koby Mitchell, CityNews)
Winnipeg has hosted a parade since 2003. However, this year’s event followed vandalism and threats.
Winnipeg police said they received reports on Sept. 4 of several transit boards being defaced with graffiti displaying hateful symbols, including swastikas. There were also threats made against Sunday’s event.
Police say the incident is being treated as a potential hate-motivated crime and will be investigated by the major crimes unit’s hate crime coordinators.
Harbans Singh Brar, president of the Sikh Society of Manitoba, at the Nagar Kirtan Parade in Winnipeg on Sept. 6, 2026 (Koby Mitchell, CityNews)
Attendees at the parade told CityNews that community came together despite the recent threats.
“That makes us stronger,” Brar said. “It makes us unite because we’ve seen this previously — a thousand years ago, 500 years ago, hundred years ago — we’ve been through this kind of hate crime. We know this.”
Dinesh Pershad, one of the attendees of the parade, said, “We have respect for all cultures and are proud to be Canadians as well. At the same time, we like to follow our culture as well.”
Nagar Kirtan Parade in Winnipeg on Sept. 6, 2026 (Koby Mitchell, CityNews)
“The hate is always going to be there,” said Gurpreet Sidhu, who is also part of the Royal Riders Group. “Our job is to spread love and kindness.”
“(We want) peace and happiness only. We are not hurting anyone. Safety is our first priority,” said another attendee, Yanika Pershad.
Dinesh and Yanika Pershad with their two children at the Nagar Kirtan Parade in Winnipeg on Sept. 6, 2026 (Koby Mitchell, CityNews)
Premier Wab Kinew reacted to the incident on social media Saturday.
“Hate and threats have no place in Manitoba,” Kinew said. “The Nagar Kirtan procession has happened annually in Winnipeg for decades. It is a beautiful expression of faith, Sikhism, and community. That spirit is stronger than any hateful graffiti.”
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