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Bangla Sahib Row Sparks Complaint Against AAP Leaders
People protesting against the chief election commissioner tried to reach Jantar Mantar.
Some went to Bangla Sahib gurdwara after they were stopped.
The gurdwara committee says some protesters raised political slogans inside and has filed a complaint against AAP leaders.
It also says some videos shared about the incident gave a misleading account.
Delhi Police says officers in the footage used a passage where devotees go to remove their shoes, not the main prayer hall.
The committee’s president said police did not enter the Darbar Hall but should not have come inside in uniform.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann defended the protesters’ right to shelter in a gurdwara.
The parties disagree about how to interpret what happened, while a government fact-check unit said a separate video claiming to show a major confrontation was old.
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee filed a police complaint against AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, on Sunday, October 11.
The committee alleged AAP supporters raised political slogans inside Bangla Sahib and that party leaders circulated misleading videos.
Delhi Police said officers in the footage used a common passage and denied entering the gurdwara’s main sanctum wearing shoes.
DSGMC president Harmeet Singh Kalka said police used a passage but did not enter the Darbar Hall, and should not have entered in uniform.
Protesters sheltering at the gurdwara had been trying to reach Jantar Mantar for demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar; police said they detained 50 to 60 people who came outside.
- Who
- The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, AAP leaders including Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Police, and protesters.
- What
- DSGMC filed a police complaint alleging political activity inside Bangla Sahib and circulation of misleading videos; police denied that officers entered the main sanctum wearing shoes.
- Where
- Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib and the New Delhi district in Delhi.
- When
- The protests took place on Saturday, October 10; DSGMC filed its complaint on Sunday, October 11.
- Why
- Protesters were trying to reach Jantar Mantar for demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar; the committee says activity inside the gurdwara disturbed its religious sanctity.
DSGMC and Delhi Police
AAP and Punjab Chief Minister
Political activity inside the gurdwara
DSGMC and Delhi Police
DSGMC alleged AAP workers and supporters entered the premises, raised political slogans, and disturbed the religious atmosphere.
AAP and Punjab Chief Minister
AAP leaders alleged police entered the gurdwara to detain protesters. Bhagwant Mann defended protesters' entry, saying gurdwaras provide shelter to people in need.
Police presence and footwear
DSGMC and Delhi Police
Delhi Police said officers shown in the footage used a common passage leading to the shoe-removal area and denied entering the main sanctum wearing shoes. Harmeet Singh Kalka said police used a passage and did not enter the Darbar Hall, but should not have entered the premises in uniform.
AAP and Punjab Chief Minister
CJP co-convenor Saurav Das alleged police entered Bangla Sahib with shoes and weapons and pressured the gurdwara management. AAP leaders also alleged police entered to detain protesters.
Videos of the incident
DSGMC and Delhi Police
DSGMC accused AAP leaders of circulating selective, misleading footage; Delhi Police said the video was circulated with malicious intent. The PIB fact-checking unit said a video showing a claimed major confrontation was old.
AAP and Punjab Chief Minister
DSGMC's complaint said AAP leaders, including Kejriwal, shared videos presenting a distorted account and blaming the gurdwara management; AAP leaders alleged police entered the gurdwara.
Key facts
- Complaint filed by
- Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC)
- Complaint named
- AAP leaders, including party convenor Arvind Kejriwal
- Complaint submitted
- Sunday, October 11, to the New Delhi district Deputy Commissioner of Police's office
- Protest destination
- Jantar Mantar
- Protest focus
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Police account
- Officers in the circulated footage used a common passage; police denied they entered the main sanctum wearing shoes.
- Detentions reported by police
- 50 to 60 people who came outside the gurdwara
- Fact-check
- The Press Information Bureau's fact-checking unit said a video claiming to show a major confrontation was old.
Quotes
DSGMC complaint
Statement contained in the complaint submitted by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee.
“The protesters also raised political slogans inside the sacred premises, disturbing the religious atmosphere and violating the sanctity and maryada of Guru Ghar. Such deliberate political activity inside a revered place of worship has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikh Sangat.”
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“Whoever behaves like this with our Sikh brothers or with a place of worship…The end is very near for this government. I request Sikh brothers to help us and fight against them.”
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Sources
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