A cherished tradition in western Sydney has been abruptly disrupted, leaving the Sikh community shocked and disappointed. For over 20 years, the Nagar Kirtan procession has enlivened the streets of Glenwood each August, bringing together hymns, colour, food, and prayer, and drawing up to 2,000 participants. The annual event has long been a cornerstone of the Sikh religious calendar.
This year, however, the parade scheduled for Sunday, 24 August 2025, was cancelled. NSW Police cited concerns about crowd control, traffic impact, and general safety, including potential road closures affecting buses. Following these objections, Blacktown City Council formally denied approval for the event.
Community Reaction: Peace and Inclusion
Representatives of the Australian Sikh Association, which organises the Nagar Kirtan, expressed confusion and disappointment at the decision. Ranbir Singh Pawar from the temple management committee said:
“It doesn’t make sense to us… we had proper traffic plans in place, and it’s due to be held on a Sunday… Even if people are inconvenienced for an hour in the morning, I think most people would welcome the parade because it’s about promoting peace and inclusion.”
Association secretary Nishan Singh added that relocating the event to the Blacktown Showground would undermine the tradition:
“It’s traditional for Nagar Kirtan to be held in residential areas.”
Sikh temple committee member Dilbag Sidhu emphasised the cultural significance of the parade:
“This parade has been an ongoing thing for many, many years, at least 20 years. It’s an integral part of the Sikh faith in every city in the world and in India.”
Turbans 4 Australia founder Amar Singh said he was “lost for words” after the police deemed public safety too great a risk:
“Why would it be blocked, as the council and the police know about it, and there hasn’t been any issues before?”
Council and Police: Safety First
Mayor Brad Bunting stated that public safety remains the top priority and expressed willingness to work with the Sikh community to address concerns. “Ever since I found out they were denied, I’ve been working with them and the community at Glenwood and with the police to get a better outcome,” Bunting said, hoping to prevent legal escalation.
Local residents also raised concerns about parking and congestion. Angela, who lives near the temple, noted:
“There is no parking. Traffic builds up because people are driving up to the temple hoping they will get a park. They don’t get a park, and then they’re crowding the streets, causing blockages everywhere.”
Police confirmed that, following consultations with stakeholders and the organisers, the proposed route posed a significant risk to the safety of participants and the public, in addition to disrupting traffic and public transport. An alternate location has been offered to the organisers.
On behalf of Harman Foundation, Harinder Kaur strongly voiced the community’s disappointment:
“It is a basic human right to practice religion and walk on our spiritual journey within the law. The Nagar Kirtan is a sacred Sikh tradition celebrated all over the world, not a political protest. It is deeply wrong and unacceptable when authorities compare it with other unrelated events, because this creates disharmony and disheartens our community. We strongly say that our tradition must be respected and not treated with suspicion. Authorities should work with the Sikh community so this long-standing religious practice can continue with peace, dignity, and harmony.”
Comparisons and Community Frustration
The cancellation has sparked frustration, particularly in comparison to other large-scale gatherings. Earlier this month, a pro-Palestine march of more than 90,000 participants across the Sydney Harbour Bridge went ahead after legal challenges, leading many in the Sikh community to question why a modest, peaceful religious procession was treated differently.
Moving Forward
With generosity deeply ingrained in Sikh culture, the temple provides three meals a day free for anyone who wishes to join. Community members hope that the same spirit of compassion will be considered if the parade can be approved in the future.
“Don’t just look at us and go ‘Hey, they’re outsiders,'” Singh said. “We are Australians. We live here. Our kids are born here, brought up here. We give back so much. So this is our home.”
The situation and community concerns were highlighted in a short documentary by Channel Nine Current Affairs, aired nationally on 19 August 2025, shedding light on the dispute and the cultural importance of the parade.
