The Sika man Jasbir Bhangu entered the shrine where Akhand path was on and started attacking the granthis while desecrated Guru Granth Sahib

New Delhi, April 25

A Sikh man entered Gurudwara Kotwali Sahib in Ropar and suddenly attacked two granthis and desecrated the Guru Granth Sahib. The Punjab Police have arrested the man whilemlocals launched a protest demanding action.

The police said that the incident took place around 1.30 pm when Akhand Path was in progress inside the shrine.

In a CCTV camera footage that surfaced on social media, a man, later identified as Jasbir Singh Bhangu, a local resident, could be seen entering the sanctum sanctorum and attacking the two granthis who were reciting from the Guru Granth Sahib. In the commotion the turban of one of the granthis came off. Bhangu then pushed the holy book.

Ten to 15 people, including women, who were present inside the gurdwara overpowered the man and thrashed him and called police.

The police were informed that the man used to regularly visit the Gurudwara but on the day of the incident, he entered the shrine and began thrashing people. 

The locals launched a protest at Morinda-Ropar Road seeking strict punishment for the accused. The angry protesters demanded that the accused be handed over to them. Markets were also shut down in Morinda, with police saying that some protesters also pelted stones at the house of the accused in the town.

IG Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, reached Morinda to take stock of the situation. SSP Ropar Vivek Sheel Soni maintained that the man later identified as Bhangu was immediately traced and arrested. 

The police have booked the accused under IPC sections 295 A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and 307 (attempt to murder), 323 (assault) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. 

The incident was condemned by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other leaders and urged locals to maintain peace.