Stockton Marks Vaisakhi with 27th Nagar Kirtan as Punjabi Gang Founder Faces Prison
Stockton's South Asian community gathered for the 27th Nagar Kirtan parade at the historic Gurdwara Sahib Stockton, drawing more than 19,000 attendees to celebrate Vaisakhi. Separately, a federal court case put a spotlight on the city when the 27-year-old founder of the Punjabi Devils Motorcycle Club pleaded guilty to federal firearms charges.
🎉 Stockton's 27th Nagar Kirtan Parade Draws 19,000 to Celebrate Vaisakhi
The Stockton Sikh Temple's 27th annual Nagar Kirtan parade, also known as the Sikh Parade and Festival, took place on Sunday, April 19, 2026, continuing a tradition that traces its roots back more than a century in the Central Valley. Held at the historic landmark Gurdwara Sahib Stockton, located at 1930 Sikh Temple Street, the event drew more than 19,000 attendees who gathered to observe and celebrate Vaisakhi, the Punjabi New Year and harvest festival that holds deep religious significance in the Sikh faith. The Stockton Record reported on the event ahead of the parade, noting the deep legacy the Sikh community has built in the region over successive generations. Admission to the parade is free, and the festival is open to the public, reflecting the community's longstanding emphasis on seva, or selfless service, and outreach to all. The Gurdwara Sahib Stockton is one of the oldest Sikh temples in the Western Hemisphere and has served as a cultural anchor for the region's large Punjabi-origin population. The Nagar Kirtan procession is a central expression of Sikh identity, featuring scripture recitations, community meals, and a ceremonial march through the city streets. [1]
Punjabi Devils Founder Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Charges in Stockton Case
Jashanpreet Singh, the 27-year-old founder of the Punjabi Devils Motorcycle Club in Stockton, pleaded guilty to federal firearms charges in February 2026 after prosecutors said he attempted to sell illegal weapons to an undercover law enforcement officer. Singh, a resident of Lodi, California, is described by authorities as the leader of a regional outlaw motorcycle gang with connections to the Hells Angels. After his initial court appearance, Singh fled and was arrested at San Francisco International Airport while attempting to board a flight to India. Court documents from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California detailed the circumstances leading to his indictment, which was reported in 2025. Singh faced sentencing scheduled for May 11, 2026, with a maximum of up to 15 years in federal prison. The case drew attention to outlaw gang activity connected to the Punjabi community in California's Central Valley and raised questions about how authorities monitor transnational criminal networks with ties to South Asian communities. The Desert Sun and USA Today Network covered the case ahead of the sentencing date. [3]
Sources: [1] The Stockton Record · [3] The Desert Sun