Torn pages of ‘bir’ found in Rupnagar village gurdwara

The CCTV cameras installed at the gurdwara were also not working as there was no power supply in the village due to dust storm.

Some pages of the holy ‘bir’ (copy) of Guru Granth Sahib were found torn at Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan at Dangoli village near here on Saturday morning.

Police officials outside the Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan at Dangoli village near Rupnagar on Saturday. (HT Photo)

Gurdwara “pathi” Jagtar Singh said he left the gurdwara after completing the morning “nitnem path” (recitation of daily prayers) around 5.45 am.

He said Harjinder Kaur, who visits the gurdwara regularly, came to his house at 6.30 am and informed him that pages of the ‘bir’ have been found torn. He rushed to the gurdwara with other villagers and police were called.

The CCTV cameras installed at the gurdwara were also not working as there was no power supply in the village due to dust storm.

Rupnagar senior superintendent of police (SSP) Raj Bachan Singh Sandhu said a case under Section 295-A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against unidentified persons at the Rupnagar Sadar police station.

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) additional secretary Paramjit Singh Saroa, Takht Kesgarh Sahib head granthi Giani Phoola Singh, SGPC member Surinder Singh, former member Gurinder Singh Gogi and panj pyaras (the five beloved) also reached the gurdwara.

Takht Kesgarh Sahib jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh said the gurdwara managing committees must be more cautious to prevent such incidents. He said if the police fail to arrest the accused within 24 hours, a meeting of religious, social and political organisations of the area will be called at Takht Kesgarh Sahib on Sunday to decide future course of action.