Akalis run for cover as activists barge into gurdwara

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 23

Senior Akali leaders today faced the wrath of protesting Sikh activists at a gurdwara in Kapurthala where an “akhand path” was organised to pray for peace in the state. The activists were demanding participation in the event. They barged into the gurdwara after breaking the barricades put up to restrict their entry.

Senior SAD leaders, including former MLA and District Planning Committee chairman Sarabjit Singh Makkar, Istri Akali Dal president Bibi Jagir Kaur, former minister Upinderjit Kaur, party district president Jarnail Singh Wahid, SGPC member Sarwan Singh Kular, had to run for their life as Sikh activists brandishing swords and other weapons invaded the gurdwara premises.

Sources said when activists gathered in large numbers outside the gurdwara, a heavy police force was deployed. They cordoned off the gurdwara premises and refused entry to the protesting activists.

An activist said: “We were told by the administration that we would be given a chance to participate in the event and even address the gathering, but we were cheated. The government is holding “akhand path” for peace, but did nothing to prevent sacrilege incidents.”

When activists learnt that the event was over, they turned violent and barged into the gurdwara. On seeing armed activists, SAD leaders left the venue under security cover.

The protesters raised slogans against SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar. They later smashed the windowpanes of the vehicles of SGPC member Harminder Kaur and local SAD leader Amarjit Singh Dhapai.

Rajinder Singh, SSP, Kapurthala said 16 persons were arrested out of 23 named in the FIR under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 295A (deliberate, malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapons), 149 (unlawful assembly) of the IPC.

Bibi Jagir Kaur said: “Sikh activists who were protesting the sacrilege of holy book themselves violated the ‘maryada’ by forcibly entering the gurdwara wearing shoes and brandishing swords.”

The ‘akhand paths” were organised on the directions of Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal to pray for peace and harmony after series of sacrilege incidents rocked the state.

Bathinda MLA, family face protesters’ ire

Bathinda: Protesters in Talwandi Sabo on Friday did not allow the son and daughter-in-law of Bathinda (rural) MLA Darshan Kotfatta to pay obeisance at Takht Damdama Sahib. The couple got married on Friday. The family members were on way to the gurdwara after the wedding, but they were forced to return following protests on the Bathinda-Talwandi Road. Kotfatta and his family members were accompanied by SGPC member Amreek Singh Kotshamir from Balluana. Their vehicles were blocked near Takht Damdama Sahib. Kotfatta’s son is a PCS officer while his daughter-in-law is a DSP in the Punjab Police. Despite repeated pleas and requests by the MLA and his family members, the protesters refused to give them way. Some protesters hit one of their vehicles with swords. Seeing the situation turning volatile, the MLA and his security guards decided to return. "We did not give way to the MLA and his family as they are part of the Punjab government and we are protesting against it," said Pippal Singh of Damdami Taksal. Talwandi Sabo SHO Bhupinder Singh said no vehicle was allowed to pass through the site of protest. Besides, the MLA's vehicle was not fitted with a beacon, he added.  — Gurdeep Mann