Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi State Vice President and Tilak Nagar MLA Sardar Jarnail Singh has raised serious concerns regarding the conduct of the Delhi Police at Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib on October 10. In an open letter to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), he has contested the alleged violation of the gurdwara’s sanctity during a police operation, which reportedly involved officers entering the premises inappropriately attired.

During a press conference, Singh asserted that Delhi Police behaved disgracefully by allegedly entering the gurdwara while wearing shoes and caps and carrying batons. He described their actions as a blatant infringement of the sacredness associated with the gurdwara, especially against a backdrop of individuals seeking refuge there.

In response to the allegations, Delhi Police have denied any misconduct. They clarified that the personnel depicted in a circulating video were traversing a common area that devotees utilise to remove their shoes prior to entering the main worship area.

Questions Addressed to the DSGMC

Jarnail Singh has articulated a series of ten questions directed towards the DSGMC president and committee members, addressing their stance on the police actions. He enquired whether the committee finds the police intervention acceptable and sought clarification on the discussions that preceded the filing of a First Information Report (FIR).

Among other queries, Singh questioned the justification for allowing police entry into the gurdwara while inappropriately dressed, particularly regarding their use of batons. Furthermore, he highlighted that some DSGMC members had expressed that the decision to lodge a complaint against AAP was made counter to their judgement.

Additionally, Singh urged the committee to disclose any documentation that sanctioned police intervention at the gurdwara, reaffirming the importance of maintaining respect for the gurdwara’s sanctity.

Political Involvement and Sikh Principles

The AAP leader has also raised points regarding the participation of DSGMC members in events organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He referred to a Hukamnama from Sri Akal Takht Sahib which cautions against involvement with the RSS, questioning the motivations behind committee members’ engagement with political entities.

Singh further suggested that committee members may view their positions as a pathway to political opportunities rather than focusing on the core Sikh principles of service and support for those seeking shelter. He posed inquiries related to whether such political inclinations skew their representation of Sikh values.

He also expressed his concerns regarding the implications of labelling individuals who seek refuge at the gurdwara according to their political affiliations. Singh stressed that actions such as filing complaints could potentially deter people from seeking assistance in the future.

Closing his remarks, Singh urged the DSGMC members to prioritise the community’s needs and respond to his questions promptly. He clarified that his inquiry is driven not merely by political rivalry but reflects the sentiments of the global Sikh community.

On October 9, the Delhi Police lodged an FIR against prominent AAP figures, including national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, following a complaint from the DSGMC. This complaint concerns allegations regarding disruptions to the sanctity of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib by protestors and the dissemination of misleading video materials via social media.

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