AMRITSAR, Dec 18: A man hailing from Uttar Pradesh was beaten to death after he allegedly attempted to commit “sacrilege” inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple in Amritsar this evening.
The incident drew sharp reactions from political leaders, with Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi ordering a probe into it.
The incident took place when the man jumped golden grills inside the sanctum sanctorum, picked a sword and reached near the place where a Sikh priest was reciting the holy Guru Granth Sahib.
The man was caught by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) task force members.
When he was being taken to the SGPC office, angry crowd thrashed him badly that later led to his death.
Deputy Commissioner of Police P S Bhandal said the man, hailing from UP, could be around 25 to 30 years of age and his antecedents are being verified.
All CCTV cameras are being checked to know when he entered the Golden Temple and how many people were with him.
After the incident, a large number of Sikh devotees and various Sikh outfits slammed the SGPC for its laxity.
A heavy police force has been deployed around the SGPC complex at Teja Singh Samundri Hall to maintain law and order.
Several political leaders condemned the alleged sacrilege attempt at the Golden Temple.
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi ordered a probe into the matter.
“CM @CharanjitChanni strongly condemned the most unfortunate and heinous act to attempt sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Harimandir Sahib during the path of Sri Rehras Sahib,” according to a tweet by the Chief Minister’s Office.(PTI)
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