Attempt to Desecrate Golden Temple Complex: Man Performs Parikrama, Then Pulls Out Sword Kept Before Guru Granth Sahib

June 12, 2026

An attempt at desecration happened at the Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Gurbakhsh Singh in the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. A young man pulled out the sword placed in front of the sacred form late Wednesday evening. However, the volunteers immediately caught him.

Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), condemned the incident and said that the 35-year-old man committed desecration. He had taken a circumambulation after visiting the Gurdwara behind Sri Akal Takht Sahib.

The continuous reading of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was going on in the Gurdwara, and the young man picked up the sword that was placed in front. The volunteers grabbed him right away.

Find out what else Harjinder Singh Dhami said…

The accused’s identity has not come out: Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the young man accused of desecration has been handed over to the administration. We have demanded strict action against him in writing. The administration is busy finding out his identity and background, to determine where he is from.
Demand to register an FIR: Our demand is that a thorough investigation of this matter should be conducted. What was his intention, who are the people behind this, and who sent it—these aspects should all be examined and an FIR should be registered against him for legal action.

The Police Commissioner assured action: Based on CCTV footage, so far there is no information suggesting the presence of any other person with him. He appeared to be alone. The Amritsar Police Commissioner has assured us that strictest possible action will be taken against the accused.
Dhami said – a conspiracy to provoke religious sentiments

Dhami reminded that a few years ago, a person had also tried to desecrate the Sachkhand Shri Harmandir Sahib by jumping over the railing, a plot that the government failed to uncover. According to Dhami, this recent incident is a conspiracy to defame the management of the Shiromani Committee and incite the religious sentiments of the congregation.

The government is not serious about issues related to Sikh sentiments

Advocate Dhami said that the accused is in police custody. He warned that if the conspirators of this incident are not brought forward, it will be clear that the government is not serious about issues related to Sikh sentiments. He also appealed to the Gurudwara managers and the Sangat to stay alert and perform their duties to prevent such elements from succeeding.