Description
The accused was subdued by faithful in the sanctuary and beaten (representative photo) Protests erupted after a man allegedly beat two Sikh priests and desecrated the 'Guru Granth Sahib' at a gurdwara in the Punjab town of Morinda on Monday. Punjab police arrested Jasvir Singh and the incident was condemned by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other leaders from all political parties. In a video of the incident that surfaced on social media, Singh could be seen entering the Kotwali Sahib gurdwara sanctum sanctorum after crossing the railing and then colliding with two 'granthis' (Sikh priests) who were reciting the Guru Granth Sahib, then he threw the holy book on the ground.
Singh was then overpowered by the devotees present at the shrine and beaten. He was then handed over to the police. The incident sparked outrage from locals who organized a protest outside the Morinda police station, demanding strict punishment for the accused. Markets were also closed in Morinda in protest of the incident.
Senior politicians including former heads of government Amarinder Singh and Charanjit Singh Channi have expressed their dismay at the incident and called for an exemplary punishment in the matter.
Mann, in a tweet, said that the Morinda incident was highly reprehensible and that no one would be spared.
"Whoever has committed the act of sacrilege will receive the most severe punishment. For us, the honor of Sri Guru Granth Sahib is paramount," he said.
Senior police officials, including Inspector General of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, came to Morinda to provide an update on the situation. Reacting to the incident, Amarinder Singh tweeted: "The beadbi incident at Gurdwara Sri Kotwali Sahib in Morinda is highly reprehensible. I urge Punjab Police to immediately arrest the perpetrator of this heinous crime and impose the most severe punishment possible."
The leader of Congress and leader of the opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, has urged the state government to severely punish the accused.
"Shocked to learn of the incident of sacrilege at Gurudwara Sahib in Morinda, Punjab. The person responsible has been arrested and is in custody. This is my call to Sangat to maintain peace and harmony at all costs. I request the Punjab government to Give the defendants an exemplary punishment," he said in a tweet.
Mr. Channi also reached out to Morinda and joined the protest against the episode.
