In a tragic incident from Punjab, a 19-year-old youth was brutally lynched by a mob in a Gurdwara, allegedly over an accusation of sacrilege. The victim, identified as Bakshish Singh, hailed from Firozpur district, specifically from the village of Banda. Reports suggest that Bakshish Singh was accused of desecrating the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism, at the Gurudwara Baba Veer Singh in Banda.
According to DCP Sukhendra Singh, the incident unfolded when Bakshish Singh allegedly tore pages of the Guru Granth Sahib inside the Gurdwara premises and attempted to flee. However, enraged locals apprehended him and subjected him to a severe beating, resulting in his untimely demise. The police intervened and rushed Bakshish Singh to the hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries on the way.
It’s important to note that Bakshish Singh’s family has claimed that he was mentally challenged and might have been unaware of the consequences of his actions. Eyewitness accounts suggest that Bakshish Singh might have visited the Gurudwara for the first time and was not fully cognizant of the sanctity of the Guru Granth Sahib.
Sacrilege, known as “Sakhi Jaam” in Sikhism, is regarded as a serious offense within the community. The Guru Granth Sahib is considered a living Guru, and any desecration or disrespect towards it is deemed sacrilege. Additionally, other articles such as turbans, kirpans (small knives), and the beard hair of Sikh individuals are also revered and must not be tampered with.
In Punjab, cases of sacrilege are dealt with under Sections 295 and 295A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Section 295 pertains to acts intended to outrage religious feelings, while Section 295A addresses deliberate and malicious acts intended to insult religious beliefs. Both offenses carry penalties of up to two to three years of imprisonment.
However, there have been calls for stricter punishment in cases of sacrilege. Sikh historian Ranjit Singh has advocated for life imprisonment or even the death penalty for such offenses. In 2015, attempts were made to introduce amendments to the IPC in Punjab to impose life imprisonment for sacrilege offenses, but the bill faced obstacles due to constitutional concerns.
The recent incident has once again highlighted the issue of vigilantism and the failure of law enforcement to prevent such incidents. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has criticized the police for their alleged inaction in addressing sacrilege cases, leading to vigilantism among the populace.
In conclusion, while sacrilege is a sensitive issue in Punjab, resorting to violence and taking the law into one’s own hands is unacceptable. It is imperative for law enforcement agencies to uphold the law and ensure justice is served through legal channels, rather than through mob violence.
