Sacrilege incidents surge across Punjab; three incidents reported in last 24 hours; govt under fire
PTC Web Desk: Punjab has once again been shaken by a series of sacrilege-related incidents. Three separate but equally disturbing cases have come to light from Jalandhar district, Sultanpur Lodhi and Amritsar. This has raised serious questions about the Punjab Government’s ability to maintain religious harmony and prevent repeated attacks on faith.
Despite repeated assurances and the formation of multiple committees over the years, acts of sacrilege continue to surface across Punjab, exposing glaring gaps in security, governance, and accountability.
Beadbi at historic gurdwara sahib in Jalandhar’s Goraya area
A serious incident of desecration involving Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji has been reported at the historic Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Darbar located in Mahal village of Guraya area in Jalandhar (Rural). The incident has sparked widespread anger and tension in the village and surrounding areas, with residents terming it a direct attack on their religious faith and demanding strict action against those responsible.
According to information received, a local resident, Jaspreet Kaur, stated that she opened the Gurdwara at around 5 pm. Finding no one inside, she paid her obeisance and returned home. Approximately an hour later, around 6 pm, the incident of desecration allegedly took place.
Villagers were later informed over the phone that six sacred pages (angs) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji had been torn and thrown inside and outside the Gurdwara premises. Following the information, a large number of villagers gathered at the site.
Villagers informed that CCTV cameras were installed at the Gurdwara, but none were operational at the time of the incident, reportedly having remained non-functional for several months. The Gurdwara is considered one of the oldest and most revered religious sites in the village. However, it was revealed that no permanent Granthi Singh has been appointed there.
Upon receiving information, the police and civil administration swung into action. DSP Phillaur Bharat Masih and SHO Goraya Sikander Singh visited the spot, assessed the situation, and began examining CCTV footage from nearby areas.
Village Sarpanch Balwinder Kaur termed the incident highly unfortunate and demanded that the culprits be arrested at the earliest and awarded strict punishment to prevent such acts in the future.
During preliminary inquiries, Singh Sahibans revealed that a clash between two groups had taken place in the village a few days earlier. It was also pointed out that the room where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is installed is in poor condition, with rainwater reportedly entering the premises during rainfall.
A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway. DSP Masih said that detailed information regarding the case will be shared on Wednesday.
Tension at gurdwara sahib in Sultanpur Mokhe village
Another sensitive incident emerged from Mokhe village near Sultanpur Lodhi, where a granthi accused certain villagers of assault and sacrilege inside a gurdwara. The granthi alleged that his turban was removed, his hair desecrated and that sacred religious articles were disrespected during a dispute.
The opposing side, however, denied the allegations, claiming the matter was related to alleged violations of religious code of conduct (rehat maryada). Both sides sustained injuries and were admitted to the Civil Hospital in Sultanpur Lodhi.
The incident led to tension in the village, with Sikh organisations demanding a neutral and transparent investigation and warning of protests if justice is delayed.
Amritsar video sparks outrage across communities
In a separate but equally disturbing incident, a man was arrested in Amritsar after a video went viral showing him kicking, spitting on and insulting pictures of Hindu deities in the Nanak Mandi area.
The video, widely circulated on social media, led to protests by Hindu organisations, who accused the administration of acting only after public outrage. The accused was later confronted at his home and arrested under charges of hurting religious sentiments.
Police officials said the accused would be questioned to ascertain the motive behind the act. However, the incident once again highlighted how social media has become a trigger point, while the administration remains slow in monitoring or preventing such provocative acts.
Punjab govt under fire
Taken together, these incidents reflect a deepening crisis of religious sensitivity in Punjab. Despite repeated sacrilege cases over the past decade, the state government has failed to establish a foolproof mechanism to protect religious places, ensure functioning surveillance systems, or prevent the politicisation of faith.
- PTC NEWS
