Two separate incidents of sacrilege at gurdwaras in Moga district in quick succession have been reported. Police arrested one person and registered cases in both instances.
In the first incident, panic spread among devotees after a suspicious object was found on the premises of a Gurdwara Sahib in Moga. Preliminary reports suggested an unidentified woman had placed the object inside the religious site. CCTV footage and local accounts are being reviewed to identify and trace the suspect.
The gurdwara management committee issued an immediate appeal urging the ‘sangat’ to remain calm and avoid rumours. “We urge the community to stay away from superstitions and blind faith. Do not panic or spread misinformation. Let the authorities do their job,” the management stated. Police have been informed and an investigation is underway to determine the nature of the object and the motive behind the act.
In the second incident, police arrested a youth after he allegedly broke into Gurdwara Dharam Ki Pauri in the Dharamkot area of Moga, stole cash from the donation box and violated the sanctity of the holy premises.
According to police sources, the accused entered the main hall after the granthi locked the doors and stepped out for routine work. He allegedly shattered a glass shield to access the Sukh Asan area, where the holy scriptures are kept, and targeted the ‘golak’ (donation box) to steal the cash. While attempting the theft, a devotee noticed his suspicious movements and raised an alarm. Members of the gurdwara management committee and local residents rushed to the spot and caught him red-handed.
The incident has sparked anger in the local community. Besides theft and trespassing, the accused also faces charges of deliberately hurting religious sentiments after tobacco was found in his possession, adding an element of sacrilege to the case.
SHO Laxman Singh said the youth has been identified as Harpinder Singh and has been taken into custody. A formal FIR has been registered against him under relevant sections of law covering theft, trespassing and intentional insult to religious beliefs.
