Jasvir Singh, accused of desecrating the Guru Granth Sahib and hitting two priests at a gurdwara in Morinda, was sent to two-day police remand by district court even as markets remained shut in the town over the incident. On Tuesday, Jasvir was produced before the court of judicial magistrate (first class) in the district court complex here amid tight security arrangements. Jasvir Singh was arrested on Monday on charges of hurting religious sentiments and attempting to murder. Director General of Punjab Police Guarav Yadav in Chandigarh said police are investigating the matter, and if there is any conspiracy behind the unfortunate incident, it will be exposed.
On Tuesday, shops in Morinda town remained closed, and police were deployed as a group of people continued to protest against a sacrilege incident at a gurdwara. The protests started on Monday after a man allegedly hit two Sikh priests and desecrated the Guru Granth Sahib at the Gurdwara Kotwali Sahib in Morinda. Jasvir Singh was arrested by the police and charged with hurting religious sentiments and attempting murder.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, prominent political figures from all parties, the Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, and SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami all expressed their disdain of the occurrence.
The demonstration was staged at Verka Chowk in the city on Tuesday by the agitators, including “Nihangs,” who demanded the culprits receive harsh punishment. In a video that surfaced on social media, the man wearing shoes could be seen entering the sanctum sanctorum of Kotwali Sahib gurdwara after crossing the railing and then hitting two ‘granthis’ who were reciting from the Guru Granth Sahib and then pushing the holy book.
Jasvir Singh, who works as an electrician, was later overpowered by devotees present in the shrine and beaten up. He was then handed over to the police. On Monday, police said the accused had been booked 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).
