Tension in Jalandhar Over Alleged Sacrilege of Sri Gutka Sahib; Sikh Groups Stage Protest, Sit-in Ends After Police Assurances

May 19, 2026

Jalandhar: An incident involving the desecration of ‘Sri Gutka Sahib’ has come to light in the Raja Garden area of ​​Jalandhar. Upon receiving information about the incident, members of the Sikh ‘Sangat’ (congregation) and various Nihang Singh organisations arrived at the scene in large numbers. The incident has sparked immense outrage among the residents; consequently, police personnel from the Basti Bawa Khel station, along with PCR teams, have been deployed to the area to maintain order and control the situation.

The incident occurred at 11:00 PM on Monday. The police have taken custody of the affected religious material and have initiated an investigation into the matter. According to local eyewitnesses and youths, pages (‘ang’) of the ‘Gutka Sahib’ were found scattered across the Raja Garden area, covered in dirt. Residents allege that this act was deliberately perpetrated by anti-social elements with the specific intent of disrupting communal harmony. Joined by the Nihangs, the locals staged a protest and demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits.

Nihang Singhs Express Strong Outrage

Arriving at the scene shortly after the incident, the Nihang Singhs expressed their strong indignation. They remarked that while the government claims to be formulating stricter laws to curb such acts, incidents of desecration continue unabated. They issued a stern warning, declaring that any insult to their religion would not be tolerated under any circumstances and that the perpetrators would be taught a fitting lesson.

Police Administration’s Response

In view of the tense situation, the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Basti Bawa Khel police station arrived at the scene accompanied by his team. The police managed to pacify the agitated crowd, then respectfully gathered the scattered pages of the ‘Gutka Sahib’ and transported them to the police station for further necessary action. Police officials have stated that they are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness. Footage from CCTV cameras installed in the area is currently being scrutinized to identify the individual(s) responsible for this act and to determine the exact time at which it occurred.

Demand for Strict Punishment

Various Sikh organizations including the ‘Sangat’ and youth groups such as ‘Lucky Khalsa’ have demanded that the Punjab government and the police administration immediately arrest and imprison those found guilty of involvement in this incident. He stated that, under the law, the strictest possible punishment should be handed dow one that serves as a precedent for society. Currently, the police have registered a case and have intensified the investigation.