Gurdwara Secretary Arrested in Assault Case Sparks Clashes, Vandalism Allegations

Tensions escalated sharply in Rajasthan's border district of Sri Ganganagar following the police arrest of Tejinder Pal Singh Timma, secretary of the Gurdwara Dhan Baba Deep Singh Sabha and head of the Sikh Dharm Prachar Committee. The arrest was executed by personnel from the Kotwali police station in connection with an alleged physical assault on an immigration officer. The raid quickly spiraled into chaotic scenes inside the shrine complex as supporters gathered, leading to violent altercations, property damage, and widespread outrage across community organizations.

Bedside Arrest and Counter-Claims: Police Rebut Desecration Accusations

Detailing the circumstances of the arrest, Kotwali Police Station Officer Tejwant Singh Brar stated that officers found the accused hiding beneath a bed inside a guest room on the gurdwara premises. According to the police, several women present in the room physically attacked the law enforcement team to obstruct the detention. Responding to allegations of sacrilege, SHO Brar—who is a Sikh himself—maintained that the police contingent strictly adhered to religious protocols by taking off their footwear and covering their heads with handkerchiefs before entering the sacred perimeter. He asserted that the subsequent vandalism on the gurdwara premises was orchestrated by Timma’s agitators in an effort to thwart lawful action.

Political Interference Alleged as SGPC Slams Police Conduct

Contradicting the official police narrative, Bibi Harmeet Kaur, an eyewitness present inside the shrine, leveled grave charges against local politicians, alleging that law enforcement stormed the sanctum at the behest of Sadulshahar MLA Gurvir Singh Brar and directly caused damage to the holy site. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from the Amritsar-based Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami strongly condemned Timma’s arrest, alleging that the Rajasthan police desecrated the Guru’s langar hall and tore down posters inside the sacred complex, demanding immediate accountability and an impartial inquiry into the incident.