Indianapolis Sikh Community Votes in Khalistan Referendum as New Gurdwara Opens Its Doors
Indianapolis has become a focal point for the Sikh diaspora in 2026, with an unofficial Khalistan referendum bringing voters across Indiana together in August, a landmark new gurdwara opening in April, and the annual Nagar Kirtan parade celebrating Sikh heritage. Community concerns over rising ICE arrests and BAPS Diwali festivities round out a season of significant events for the city's South Asian residents.
🗳️ Sikh Voters Rally Behind Khalistan Referendum as Yellow Flags Fill City Highways
Sikhs living in the Indianapolis area voted in August 2026 in an unofficial referendum calling for a separate Sikh homeland, Khalistan, within India. The referendum is not binding under any government but carries deep symbolic weight for diaspora Sikhs seeking international attention to their push for self-determination. Indianapolis residents noticed the groundswell early: a convoy of cars waving yellow Khalistan flags drove across the city highways on August 1, and billboards promoting the referendum appeared across town in the days leading up to the vote. The IndyStar reported on the Khalistan movement to help local readers understand what the yellow flags and car rallies signaled. The referendum was organized by Sikh diaspora groups who have used similar votes in cities across Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. For the Indianapolis Sikh community, participation represents both a statement of identity and a show of solidarity with Sikhs still living in India where many say they face ongoing discrimination. The August vote marks one of the most politically visible moments for the local Sikh community in recent years. [1]
🤝 12th Annual Nagar Kirtan Parade Celebrates Sikh Heritage Across Indianapolis
The Sikh Society of Indiana hosted its 12th Annual Nagar Kirtan parade in 2026, continuing a beloved tradition that brings the Sikh community and its neighbors together in a colorful procession through Indianapolis streets. Nagar Kirtan, meaning city hymn singing, is a sacred Sikh procession in which the Guru Granth Sahib is carried on a decorated float while devotees sing hymns and distribute langar, free community food, to all who attend. The parade is one of the most visible public expressions of Sikh faith and culture in Indiana. WISH-TV covered the event as part of its multicultural news programming, highlighting the 12th annual milestone. Mirror Indy echoed the open invitation, noting that all are welcome to the Sikh Day Parade to celebrate Sikh history and culture. The Nagar Kirtan has grown steadily since its founding, reflecting the expanding Sikh population in the Indianapolis metropolitan area and the community commitment to public outreach. Free langar is distributed to all attendees regardless of background, embodying the Sikh principle of seva or selfless service. [3]
Gurdwara 74 Sikh Satsang Opens, Marking a Milestone for Indiana Oldest Sikh Congregation
The oldest and largest Sikh congregation in Indiana opened its newest place of worship on April 26, 2026. Gurdwara 74 Sikh Satsang welcomed the community with a grand opening ceremony on a Sunday in late April, adding a significant new facility to Indiana Sikh landscape. The IndyStar covered the opening with a photo gallery, capturing images of a Sikh elder waving the Chaur Sahib over the sacred Guru Granth Sahib texts inside the newly consecrated gurdwara. The opening was described as a milestone for the Indianapolis Sikh community, reflecting decades of growth since the congregation was established. The Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis has long been a spiritual and cultural anchor for Sikh families in the region, and the new gurdwara expands its capacity to serve an increasingly large congregation. Gurdwara 74 is expected to host daily prayers, community programs, langar services, and Sikh education classes. The event represented not just a new building but confirmation of the Sikh community permanent and growing presence in the Midwest. [5]
Sikh and Punjabi Families Report Growing Fear as ICE Arrests Rise in Indianapolis
Sikh and Punjabi families in Indianapolis are reporting increasing fear and anxiety as ICE arrests have risen in the region, according to an investigative report by WISH-TV I-Team. Community members say the arrests have created a climate of uncertainty, with some families altering daily routines out of fear of detention. The Sikh community in Indianapolis, many of whom hold work visas or are naturalized citizens sponsoring family members, has been particularly affected by shifts in federal immigration enforcement. WISH-TV I-Team coverage brought the human dimension of these arrests to a wider Indiana audience, featuring interviews with Sikh and Punjabi community members who described the emotional toll of watching neighbors and family members face deportation proceedings. Advocacy groups connected to the gurdwara and Sikh organizations have begun providing know-your-rights information and legal referrals to affected families. Community leaders called for due process protections and urged members to document encounters with federal immigration authorities. The report highlighted Indianapolis as a city where the South Asian immigrant community is navigating broader national immigration enforcement trends. [6]
BAPS Brings Diwali and Annakut Celebrations to Indianapolis Hindu Community
The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha celebrated Diwali and Annakut at its Indianapolis-area center, continuing a tradition of grand festival observances that draw hundreds of Hindu families each year. Annakut, meaning mountain of food, is a Vaishnava Hindu festival observed the day after Diwali in which thousands of food items are offered to the deity and then distributed to devotees as prasad. BAPS centers across North America including Indiana host elaborate Annakut displays featuring artistically arranged vegetables, sweets, grains, and cooked dishes. The celebration brought together BAPS devotees from across the Indianapolis metropolitan region for prayers, cultural programs, and community dining. BAPS, the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha, is one of the largest Hindu organizations in the world with centers in over 50 countries. In Indiana, BAPS serves as a spiritual and cultural hub for the Gujarati Hindu community. The Diwali and Annakut celebration at the local mandir is among the most attended events on the South Asian community calendar in Indianapolis each year, drawing both longtime members and families new to the region. [4]
Sources: [1] indystar.com · [3] WISH-TV · [5] indystar.com · [6] WISH-TV · [4] baps.org