In 2025, the normalization of anti-Sikh hate has become pronounced and coordinated, especially through social media platforms that promote outrage and xenophobia. Far-right nationalist movements in the West, bolstered by changes in content moderation policies, have increasingly targeted Sikhs, who are seen as a visible minority marked by turbans and beards.
A troubling alliance has formed between Western far-right extremists and Hindu Nationalist networks from India, both of whom target Sikhs despite mutual hostility. Claims that Hindu Nationalists only oppose “Khalistanis” fail to hold up, as Sikh activism is often met with disinformation and abuse.
An incident in New Zealand highlighted this dynamic: Sikh participants faced antagonism during a religious procession from a group linked to Brian Tamaki’s Destiny Church. Pro-Hindu Nationalist accounts quickly reframed the hate as aimed at Khalistanis, seeking to justify the aggression rather than condemn it. Such incidents exemplify a broader trend where Sikhs are depicted as threats through online manipulation and propaganda.
The rise of anti-Sikh hate has real-world consequences, with Sikhs becoming one of the most targeted religious groups for hate crimes in the U.S. and facing increasing hostility in Canada. The author argues that without intervention from governments and civil society, the situation is unlikely to improve in 2026.
