A tragic incident unfolded at a gurudwara in Punjab’s Phagwara, where a Nihang Sikh named Ramandeep Singh allegedly killed a youth, suspecting him of sacrilege.
Singh recorded and claimed responsibility for the murder, prompting senior police officials to respond urgently. The accused barricaded himself inside the Chaura Khooh gurudwara premises.
Sacrilege, disrespecting sacred or holy elements, has been a recurring issue in Punjab. Last year, a man’s alleged assault on two Sikh priests and desecration of the ‘Guru Granth Sahib’ in Morinda sparked protests.
The accused, Jasvir Singh, was arrested after a video of the incident circulated on social media, showing him entering Gurdwara Kotwali Sahib Kotwali›s sanctum sanctorum and committing the sacrilegious act.
The Nihangs, recognized by their distinctive dark blue attire and armed with swords, daggers, and spears, form a unique sect within the Sikh community.
Perceiving themselves as Guru Ki Fauj (the Guru›s army), they adhere to independent customs. The incident sheds light on the challenges surrounding sacrilege issues in the region.
