Delhi Police has registered an FIR following a complaint by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and other party leaders over a disturbance at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in New Delhi. The complaint accuses the leaders and party workers of entering the gurdwara premises, raising slogans and staging a protest. It also raises concerns over the circulation of misleading videos and social media posts circulated after the incident.
Police have started an investigation and are examining the video footage submitted by the DSGMC. Further details about the case and the action taken against those involved are awaited.
DSGMC says protest hurt Sikh sentiments
The FIR comes a day after DSGMC president Harmeet Singh Kalka criticised the AAP over an attempt by a group of its workers to hold a protest inside Gurudwara Bangla Sahib on Saturday, October 10.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, October 11, Kalka said the incident had caused anger within the Sikh community. He said the gurdwara was a place of worship where people came to pray and seek peace, and it should not be used for political activities.
According to Kalka, the group initially entered the premises carrying backpacks. After more people gathered, they took out posters and banners and began raising slogans. He said people from all backgrounds were welcome to visit the gurdwara and offer prayers, but staging demonstrations inside the religious premises was not permitted.
Kalka questions videos shared after incident
The DSGMC president also objected to misleading videos circulated by AAP leaders after the incident. He said that some posts gave the impression that police personnel had entered the gurdwara wearing uniforms and shoes.
Kalka said the videos did not show the full picture. He maintained that the police personnel had not entered the Darbar Sahib, the main prayer hall, but had walked through a public pathway within the gurdwara premises that people regularly use.
He accused Kejriwal and other AAP leaders of sending party workers into the gurdwara to stage a protest and then sharing videos that, according to him, misrepresented the incident. Kalka also said that the issue was being used for political purposes in Punjab.
DSGMC files complaint with Delhi police
Following the incident, Kalka submitted a complaint to the Delhi Police Commissioner, seeking action against those who took part in the protest. The committee asked the police to identify the people involved and take appropriate action.
Kalka said the incident had hurt the feelings of members of the Sikh community and warned political parties against turning religious places into spaces for political demonstrations.
The Delhi Police are now examining the complaint and the available video evidence as part of their investigation.
