Akal Takht Raises Alarm Over 25 Pending Hate Speech Cases Amid Contrasting Police Actions
The Akal Takht has issued a stark statement condemning the Punjab Police for what it describes as glaring inconsistencies in handling cases involving hurt religious sentiments. According to the statement, approximately 25 cases of hate speech against Sikhs, referred by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Sri Darbar Sahib management, have been pending for the last five years. In these instances, either only First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered with no subsequent action, or no FIRs were filed at all despite formal complaints being lodged.
Swift Arrest in Amritsar Sacrilege Incident Sparks Controversy
This criticism comes in the wake of the Punjab Police's rapid response to a recent incident in Amritsar, where a youth from Delhi, Subhan Rangrez, was arrested for allegedly rinsing his mouth in the sacred sarovar at Darbar Sahib on January 13. Following a complaint by the SGPC, police acted within three days, registering a case of sacrilege and securing a three-day police remand for the accused from the court on Wednesday. The swift arrest has raised questions about the law enforcement agency's selective efficiency.
Inconsistencies Highlighted by SGPC Lawyer Amanbir Siali
SGPC lawyer Amanbir Siali pointed out the stark disparities in police handling. While the Rangrez case led to immediate action, older complaints against social media offenders have languished for years. One notable example is the case of Archana Makwana, a Gujarat woman booked for hurting Sikh sentiments after performing Yoga in the Darbar Sahib premises on World Yoga Day in June 2024. Siali revealed that no chargesheet has been filed in this case, and the accused has neither obtained anticipatory bail nor participated in the investigation. He alleged that police are defending Makwana in court, citing her email apology to the SGPC as justification for inaction.
Siali also criticized police for their track record on hate speech and parody accounts targeting Darbar Sahib or the SGPC, noting that they often fail to obtain required sanctions from the Home Ministry. He accused the police of bias, stating, "There's no doubt about it. There is clearly that kind of pressure. Police show 'efficiency' here by going to court and getting remands, yet they use an apology as justification in the other cases." This is despite Subhan Rangrez also apologizing twice in videos before his arrest.
List of Pending Cases Demanding Government Clarification
The Akal Takht's statement called on the government to clarify why no action has been taken in specific cases lodged by the SGPC and Sri Darbar Sahib management. These include:
- The sacrilege committed by jumping over the railing at Sri Darbar Sahib.
- The matter of fake social media accounts of the SGPC.
- Complaint against one Puneet Sahni.
- Complaint against 28 YouTube channels uploading anti-Sikh content.
- The ongoing case against Archana Makwana related to performing yoga at Sri Darbar Sahib.
When questioned about the filing of chargesheets in hate speech cases based on SGPC complaints, SHO of Cyber Crime Amritsar, Rajbir Kaur, declined to provide any information. Regarding the Makwana case, SHO (E Division) Harmanjit Bal stated, "The case is still under investigation," highlighting the prolonged delays.
Broader Implications for Law Enforcement and Religious Sentiments
This situation underscores a broader issue of perceived bias and inefficiency in law enforcement when it comes to protecting religious sentiments. The contrast between the prompt action in the Amritsar sacrilege case and the stagnation of numerous hate speech complaints has fueled allegations of selective justice. The Akal Takht's intervention emphasizes the need for consistent and transparent policing to uphold the rule of law and maintain communal harmony.
As these cases remain unresolved, stakeholders are urging the Punjab Police and government authorities to address these discrepancies promptly. The ongoing scrutiny may lead to calls for reforms in how such sensitive cases are investigated and prosecuted, ensuring equal treatment for all complaints regardless of the circumstances.
