A man has been beaten to death in Amritsar, India, for allegedly trying to engage in anti-religious activities at a Sikh religious site, police said. The incident took place at the Golden Temple during evening prayers on Saturday, local time.
It is alleged that the man hurried into the Sikh community’s religious book ‘Guru Granth Sahib’ without permission. Upon entering, he tried to grab a sword beside the Guru Granth Sahib. At that time, the security guards and the people there caught him. Then there was a fight with that person.
The incident took place around 6:15 pm local time. At that time the evening prayer was being broadcast live on TV. Scenes of clashes were also captured on camera. It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. Police say officers went to the scene and found the man dead. An investigation is underway.
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi tweeted that efforts were being made to find those responsible for the incident.
The killings came days after a man was arrested for allegedly throwing a Sikh scripture, Gutka Sahib, into a pond near the temple.
Such incidents of insult in religious places are very sad for the Sikh community. Assembly elections will be held in Punjab next year. Earlier such incidents could be a big political issue.