Gurdwara 74 Sikh Satsang Opens in Indianapolis as Community Votes on Khalistan Referendum

Indianapolis's Sikh community made headlines on two fronts this week — celebrating the opening of a new gurdwara that marks a milestone for Indiana's oldest and largest Sikh congregation, and participating in an unofficial referendum on the question of Khalistan, a proposed independent Sikh homeland. The two events together reflect the dual nature of diaspora life: building institutions in an adopted country while remaining deeply engaged with questions of homeland identity.

🪔 Gurdwara 74 Sikh Satsang Opens in Indianapolis on April 26, Marking a Milestone for Indiana's Sikhs

Indiana's oldest and largest Sikh congregation opened a new place of worship — Gurdwara 74 Sikh Satsang — in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 26, 2026, marking what community leaders described as a milestone for the Sikh community in the Midwest. The opening ceremony brought together Sikh families from across the Indianapolis area, with an elder performing the traditional ceremony of waving the Chaur Sahib — a ceremonial whisk — over the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal living scripture of the Sikhs. Among those attending was Jaswinder Singh, whose presence at the opening was noted in IndyStar's coverage of the event. The new gurdwara represents an expansion of the congregation's physical infrastructure as the Sikh population in Indiana has grown, with Indianapolis drawing South Asian professionals, students, and their families at a steady pace. For the city's Sikh residents, a new place of worship is not merely a religious facility but a community anchor — a space where Punjabi and other South Asian cultures are preserved, langar (community meals) are served to all, and younger generations can connect with Sikh heritage and practice. The opening followed years of community planning and fundraising, underscoring the organisational depth of Indiana's Sikh community. [1]

🗳️ Indianapolis Sikhs Participate in Unofficial Khalistan Referendum Calling for a Separate Homeland

Sikhs living in the Indianapolis area voted in an unofficial referendum calling for the creation of a separate country within India where Sikhs can live without persecution, adding Indianapolis to the list of Sikh diaspora communities across North America and Europe that have participated in similar non-binding exercises. Indianapolis residents reported seeing advertisements for the event, including convoys of cars flying yellow Khalistani flags on the city's highways during the August period of the vote. The referendum, described as unofficial and non-binding, is part of a broader international Sikh referendum movement that has drawn significant attention from the Indian government, which views such votes as politically sensitive. For the Sikh diaspora in Indianapolis, the referendum was an opportunity to express a political opinion on questions of Sikh self-determination that have remained unresolved since the partition era and the violent events of the 1980s in Punjab. The visibility of the yellow-flag convoys on Indianapolis highways brought the referendum to the attention of a broader general public, some of whom were unfamiliar with the history behind the Khalistan movement and the significance it holds for many Sikhs in the diaspora. [4]

🎉 Annual Sikh Day Parade Welcomes All in Indianapolis Community Celebration

Indianapolis held its annual Sikh Day Parade, with Mirror Indy highlighting that all community members — Sikh and non-Sikh alike — were welcome to participate in the celebration. The Sikh Day Parade is a cherished tradition for the city's South Asian community, combining the religious significance of Nagar Kirtan — a procession of the Guru Granth Sahib — with an inclusive public festival atmosphere that has historically drawn participants from across Indianapolis's diverse communities. The parade typically features live kirtan music, distribution of langar, and displays of Sikh heritage and culture including martial arts demonstrations of Gatka. By explicitly emphasising that all are welcome, the Indianapolis Sikh community continues to extend the gurdwara tradition of open doors to its public celebrations, using the parade as an opportunity for intercultural connection in a city where Sikhs represent a relatively small but growing and visible community. The annual gathering serves both as a religious observance and a civic bridge-building exercise, reminding Indianapolis residents of the contributions and presence of its South Asian population. The event takes on added meaning in a year when a new gurdwara has also opened in the city. [2]

Sources: [1] IndyStar · [4] IndyStar · [2] Mirror Indy