Tension at Sikh Ceremony in Patiala Village After HSGMC Leaders Clash
Tension prevailed during a religious ceremony in Shergarh village near Patiala on Tuesday, following a public dispute between two prominent leaders of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC). The incident occurred during the bhog ceremony for a relative of a former village head, escalating into allegations of disruption and threats.
Allegations and Counter-Allegations
HSGMC president Jagdish Singh Jhinda and the committee's former chief, Baljit Singh Daduwal, levelled serious allegations against each other. Jhinda claimed the dispute began when Daduwal spoke about administrative issues related to the Haryana committee during his address. Jhinda objected, stating that a religious platform should not be used for such matters.
Jhinda further alleged that the situation escalated after the event. He reported being followed by some persons for several kilometres, with his vehicle being stopped. He claimed that a firearm was flashed at him during this encounter, though there were no reports of any injuries.
Daduwal's Response and Police Investigation
Baljit Singh Daduwal called Jhinda's claims "baseless." He asserted that he had been invited by the family to speak on religious history and did not make any remarks against Jhinda. Daduwal alleged that it was Jhinda who disrupted the ceremony, adding that the entire event was recorded and is available on social media for verification.
Following the incident, Jhinda and his supporters staged a protest at the Tharua police post, demanding the registration of a case. Police confirmed that complaints have been received from both sides and are under review.
Official Statement and Ongoing Probe
Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Varun Sharma stated that the matter is being thoroughly verified. "Appropriate action will be taken after examining the facts," he said, clarifying that no case has been registered so far. The police are investigating the allegations from both parties to determine the course of action.
The incident has highlighted tensions within the HSGMC leadership, raising concerns about the use of religious platforms for administrative disputes. Authorities are urging calm as they proceed with their investigation into the allegations made by both Jagdish Singh Jhinda and Baljit Singh Daduwal.
