Patiala Police Trace Alleged Sacrilege Incident to Accidental Act by Four-Year-Old Child
In a swift investigation, Patiala police on Wednesday claimed to have traced the source of an alleged sacrilege incident reported on the Bhawanigarh road in the Samana area of Patiala district. The police concluded that the desecration of a Gutka Sahib was an accidental act involving a four-year-old child, a development that came within 12 hours of the incident, which initially triggered tension in the area.
Investigation and Breakthrough from CCTV Footage
Soon after sacred pages, known as Angs, were found scattered near a shop on Tuesday morning, special teams led by DSP Samana Fateh Singh Brar and sub-inspector Baljit Singh launched a thorough investigation. The police said a breakthrough came from CCTV footage retrieved from nearby establishments. The video showed an e-rickshaw passing the location at about 8:48 am, with a child seated beside the driver seen pulling paper scraps from his pocket and dropping them near a confectionery shop.
Using a distinct "star" emblem displayed on the vehicle, the police identified and traced the e-rickshaw, subsequently questioning the driver and the child's family. During questioning, details emerged that pointed to a misunderstanding rather than a deliberate act. According to the police, the four-year-old boy, from a family engaged in the used-clothing and scrap trade, found a small, pocket-sized Gutka Sahib without a cover lying outside a house in the Malakana Patti area. Mistaking it for a diary or notebook, the child put it in his pocket.
Accidental Desecration and Police Findings
While travelling to school in the e-rickshaw, the child began tearing pages from the booklet and discarding them along the way. Some pages were thrown near Luthra Property shop, a routine stop for children buying snacks, while others remained in his pocket. Police officials emphasized that there was no evidence of intent to hurt religious sentiments. "The child does not even know how to read Punjabi. There was absolutely no malicious intent," said DSP Brar.
Given the child's age, the police stated that no legal action could be initiated under the Juvenile Justice Act. To ensure transparency and prevent escalation, the police claimed to have shared the findings and CCTV evidence with over 15 representatives of the Sikh community. This included members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, the management of Gurdwara Dukhniwaran Sahib, and the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Committee.
Community Response and De-escalation of Tensions
Representatives of the Damdami Taksal and other Sikh scholars expressed satisfaction with what they described as a 'thorough and foolproof' investigation. The recovered sacred pages were respectfully handed over to religious authorities in accordance with Sikh maryada. "We are committed to safeguarding religious sentiments and maintaining communal harmony, and any deliberate attempt to disturb peace will invite strict legal action," said DSP Brar.
The incident initially fueled suspicions of deliberate provocation due to its proximity to the ongoing Dharam Yudh Morcha protest site, as noted by the police. However, the swift response and involvement of religious leaders in verifying the findings helped de-escalate tensions in Samana, preventing potential unrest and ensuring community peace.
