10 years on, Panthic bodies mark 'curse day' for sacrilege, police firing in Kotkapura

Panthic organisations on Tuesday gathered at the main chowk in Kotkapura to observe the 10th anniversary of the Guru Granth Sahib sacrilege and the subsequent police firing incidents of October 14, 2015.

The day was designated as 'Lahnat Diwas' (Curse Day) to condemn successive state governments for their failure to deliver justice in the decade since the tragedy.

Homage was paid to the Sikhs who were injured and killed during the police action. The speakers lamented that despite 10 years passing, the Sikh community is "still standing in the same spot" with justice nowhere in sight.

The genesis of the protest lies in the incidents of sacrilege of the holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which occurred in June, September, and October of 2015 in Burj Jawahar Singh Wala and Bargari villages of the district.

Following the initial acts of sacrilege, the Sikh community organized a peaceful, continuous protest at the Kotkapura chowk and at Behbal Kalan village, demanding action against the perpetrators.

On October 14, 2015, the police allegedly launched a crackdown on the peaceful protestors. The unarmed Sangat was allegedly subjected to a lathi charge, water cannons and live police firing at Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura, leading to the death of two men and several injuries.

The incidents of sacrilege and the subsequent police firing (the Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan firing incidents) have since remained a central and emotionally charged issue in Punjab politics, with the lack of accountability widely cited as the most significant hurdle to justice.

Speakers at the gathering strongly criticised the state's political leadership, alleging that various administrations, including the Akali Dal, Congress and the current Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, have all protected the culprits. A major focus of the criticism was the current legal status of the case.

The protest leaders alleged that the accused (reportedly followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda) have petitioned the Supreme Court to transfer the case out of Punjab to Chandigarh, citing safety concerns. Protesters claimed that the current Punjab government has failed to legally challenge this move, effectively "putting a seal" on the claim that the accused are in danger and thereby siding with them.

The protestors demanded the unmasking and punishment of the culprits responsible for the sacrilege and the police firing. They also demanded immediate legal action by the current state government to ensure the case remains in Punjab.

It was noted that last month the Supreme Court had temporarily stayed the case transfer, with the next hearing scheduled for November 14. The Panthic organisations called upon the government to use every legal channel to ensure the victims and their families finally receive justice.