A swastika and death threats were spray-painted on signs along the procession route for the annual Nagar Kirtan event in downtown Winnipeg on Sunday. The graffiti targeted Indians and included hate messages, which are being investigated as a hate crime by police. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew condemned the incident, stating that there is no place for racism against Sikhs or Punjabi people in the province. The number of hate-motivated crimes in Winnipeg rose from 44 in 2024 to 112 in 2025, according to the Winnipeg Police Service's 2025 statistical report.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Winnipeg's Sikh community was targeted with death threats and hate messages in the lead-up to their annual Nagar Kirtan procession on Sunday. The event celebrates Sikhism's holy scripture, but instead of celebrating, attendees found death threats spray-painted on several signs along the procession route. The vandalism included a swastika on a transit sign advising of road closures for the event. Winnipeg police confirmed that multiple signs were tagged with hate messages, including one targeting Indians. The incident has been met with condemnation from Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, who stated that there is "no place for racism against Sikhs" and that hate against Punjabi people will not be tolerated. Despite the hateful graffiti, community leaders are keeping a positive attitude and encouraging attendees to enjoy the event.
Written for “Sikh Community Under Attack” on 2026-09-07,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
-
There is no place for racism against Sikhs.
left condemning racism
Leaning score -0.35 for article 6423 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-07
Winnipeg’s Sikh community is disappointed after seeing death threats spray-painted on several signs along their procession route downtown ahead of the event on Sunday.
asserted
threats → disappoint → Sunday
Nagar Kirtan is an annual event celebrating Sikhism’s holy scripture.
asserted
Kirtan → celebrate → scripture
It features a procession carrying the Guru Granth Sahib, the religion’s holy book, along with songs of faith.
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It → feature → faith
An image of the graffiti circulating on social media shows a death threat against Indians and a swastika on a transit sign advising of road closures for the event.
asserted
image → circulate → event
Winnipeg police confirmed several signs were tagged with hate messages.
asserted
signs → confirm → messages
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“I don’t know why people hate, or something like that, because nowadays the racism has gone beyond the lines,” said Jagmeet Brar, an attendee.
asserted
Brar → get → lines
The president of the Sikh Society of Manitoba said the community is staying strong and keeping a positive attitude.
asserted
community → say → attitude
“It’s (hate) everywhere in the world,” said Harbans Singh Brar, the society’s president.
asserted
Brar → ’ → world
We will pray for the whole community.”
asserted
We → pray → community
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew condemned the hateful graffiti.
asserted
Kinew → condemn → graffiti
There’s no place for hate for Punjabi people, and there’s no place for hate in that sort of activity in this province,” he said.
asserted
he → ’ → province
Const. Claude Chancy said police increased their presence at the event.
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police → say → event
The graffiti is being investigated as a hate crime.
asserted
graffiti → investigate → 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.
uncertain
crimes → motivate → report
