Amritsar-Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, has raised serious questions over the attempted sacrilege incident at Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Gurbakhsh Singh Ji, located within the Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib (Sri Darbar Sahib) complex, where a man allegedly picked up a Sri Sahib (sword) preserved in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. He called for exposing the forces working behind such incidents. He asserted that governments have failed to prevent recurring sacrilege incidents.
Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said the incident that occurred last night bears a striking resemblance to the December 2021 sacrilege attempt incident, when an individual crossed the safety grill inside Sri Darbar Sahib and picked up the preserved Sri Sahib.
The Jathedar described this incident as a major failure of the Punjab government that it has still not been able to identify the person involved in the December 2021 incident. Referring to the latest case, the Jathedar said that during an ongoing Sri Akhand Path Sahib at Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Gurbakhsh Singh, while devotees and sewadars (attendants) were listening to the recitation of Gurbani, a man entered the sanctum, after parkarma (circumambulating) Sri Guru Granth Sahib, he suddenly picked up the Sri Sahib placed before the Guru.
The Jathedar said that before the accused could carry out any further act, vigilant Sikh sewadars present at the Gurdwara immediately overpowered him. The accused is currently in police custody. He added that if the authorities fail to uncover the conspiracy behind the incident despite having the accused in custody, serious questions would arise regarding the government's functioning and investigative capabilities.
The Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar further stated that the identity and place of residence of the accused have not yet been established, as no documents or identification papers were recovered from him. The Jathedar said that the absence of any identification documents indicates that the incident may be part of a larger conspiracy or a deliberate attempt to hurt Sikh sentiments.
He alleged that while governments act swiftly when it comes to intervening in Sikh religious affairs, they have consistently failed to expose the forces operating behind such sacrilegious acts.
Issuing a special directive to the Sikh community, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj asked the Sangat to maintain robust security arrangements under Panthic Pehridari (community vigilance) at Gurdwaras in every village, town, and city, and to remain alert to any suspicious or mischievous activities. He also praised the alertness and prompt action of the Sikh sewadars who successfully apprehended the accused at Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Gurbakhsh Singh Ji.