Delhi gurdwara body files complaint against AAP for 'undermining sanctity' of Bangla Sahib

New Delhi: The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) on Sunday filed a police complaint against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its national convener Arvind Kejriwal a day after protesters, allegedly linked to the party, entered Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in the national capital's Connaught Place area and "undermined the sanctity" of the holy place.

Speaking to IANS, DSGMC President Sardar Harmeet Singh Kalka said: "This is condemnable, and there is widespread anger in the Sikh community. It is unfortunate that the Aam Aadmi Party has stooped to this level that they are targeting gurdwaras for political purposes."

Referring to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's social media post, where he claimed that Delhi Police personnel "forcibly entered" the Gurdwara, Kalka added: "I am disappointed with Bhagwant Mann's post. I want to ask him whether the hundreds of security personnel accompanying him to gurdwaras, remove their shoes and cover their heads before entering? The conduct of the police personnel is a separate matter, but protesters were allegedly provoked and brought into the Gurdwara yesterday."

"As soon as they gathered, they took out pamphlets, placards and banners from their bags and began raising slogans. I believe this was a planned conspiracy to undermine the sanctity of the Gurdwara and create a narrative that could lead to restrictions on people seeking shelter there, bringing disrepute to both the gurdwara and the government," he claimed.

Urging protesters to head to designated protest sites, the DSGMC Chief said: "Gurdwaras should not be used as forts. A gurdwara is a place of worship. If your concerns are not addressed by the Home Minister (Amit Shah) or the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), come to the Gurdwara and offer prayers; your prayers will surely be heard."

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib Chairman Bhupinder Singh Bhullar added: "Today, we, along with our President, Sardar Harmeet Singh Kalka, and other members of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, met the New Delhi DCP Sachin Sharma and submitted a complaint."

Maintaining that protesters can enter the Gurdwara to pay obeisance and have 'langar', Bhullar said: "We will also arrange accommodation if needed. Medical facilities and other assistance were provided during their previous visit (during July protests) and will be provided again."

"However, we will not allow protests inside the Gurdwara under any circumstances, regardless of the political party involved," he asserted.

Bhullar also said: "All the protesters who entered the Gurdwara yesterday belonged to the Aam Aadmi Party. We have filed this complaint against the Aam Aadmi Party and Arvind Kejriwal."

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