Amritsar: A suspected sacrilege attempt was foiled at a gurdwara within the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar after a man allegedly picked up a ceremonial sword placed near the holy scripture. Alert sewadars immediately intervened and detained the suspect before handing him over to the police.
According to officials of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the incident occurred on Thursday evening at Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Gurbakhsh Singh, located behind Sri Akal Takht Sahib within the Golden Temple complex.
SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami condemned the incident and said the accused, believed to be around 35 years old, entered the gurdwara after paying obeisance and taking part in the parikrama. At the time, an Akhand Path of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was in progress.
Dhami said the man allegedly picked up a sword placed in front of the sanctum. Sewadars on duty acted swiftly, overpowered him and prevented any further disturbance.
Before being handed over to the police, the man was questioned by sewadars about his actions. According to SGPC officials, he did not provide any clear explanation and claimed that he had come on his own. When asked whether someone had sent him, he reportedly replied that he was acting of his own free will.
The accused has not yet disclosed his identity. During preliminary questioning, he claimed that he had received money from individuals associated with a gurdwara in Khalsa Line and had travelled to Amritsar alone.
He further alleged that his vehicle was challaned in Ambala Cantonment, after which he travelled by bus to Jalandhar and then spent his remaining ₹100 to reach Amritsar.
Police have taken the suspect into custody and launched an investigation to ascertain his identity, background and the motive behind the incident.
