Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Delhi Police to Pursue Legal Action Over Gurdwara Video
A video online appeared to show police officers wearing shoes at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib.
Delhi Police said the officers were walking through a passage where devotees go before taking off their shoes to enter the gurdwara.
Police said the video was shared deliberately to upset a religious community and harm religious harmony, and said legal action was starting.
The controversy happened during a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Gurdwara committee chief Harmeet Singh Kalka said protesters entered the site with signs and slogans and that it should not be used for political protests.
Police said the protest had not been permitted and restrictions were in force.
News reports gave different figures for how many protesters were detained: more than 1,000 in one report and more than 7,000 in another.
Delhi Police said the video showing personnel wearing shoes at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib was circulated with malicious intent and that legal action was being initiated.
Deputy Commissioner Sachin Sharma said officers were in a common passage leading to the point where devotees remove their shoes before entering.
The video circulated amid a protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in electoral-roll revision.
DSGMC chief Harmeet Singh Kalka said protesters entered the gurdwara with placards and slogans, and argued it should not be used for political demonstrations.
Reports gave different detention totals: one said more than 1,000 people were detained, while another said more than 7,000; police said the protest lacked permission and prohibitory orders were in force.
- Who
- Delhi Police, protesters, and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee.
- What
- Police said officers shown in a viral video were in a common passage, and announced legal action over the video's circulation.
- When
- Saturday, October 10, according to the reports.
- Where
- Gurdwara Bangla Sahib and locations across New Delhi, including the route toward Jantar Mantar.
- Why
- The video circulated during police action against protesters demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
Police and Gurdwara Committee
Criticism over Police Presence
Officers in the passage
Police and Gurdwara Committee
Sachin Sharma said officers were in a common passage before the point where devotees remove their shoes. Harmeet Singh Kalka said police intervened after protesters entered the premises.
Criticism over Police Presence
The circulated video was alleged to show police personnel wearing shoes at the gurdwara, prompting criticism of their presence there.
Use of the gurdwara premises
Police and Gurdwara Committee
Kalka said the gurdwara welcomes people and provides food and shelter, but should not be used as a base for political protests.
Criticism over Police Presence
The reports describe criticism of police personnel entering the premises, but do not provide a detailed account of the critics' arguments.
- Police official
- Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma
- Gurdwara
- Gurdwara Bangla Sahib
- Police account
- Personnel were in a common passage leading to the shoe-removal point
- Police response
- Delhi Police said legal action was being initiated over the video's circulation
- Protest demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Detention figures
- One report said more than 1,000 protesters were detained; another said more than 7,000
- Protest restrictions
- Police said the protest had not been permitted and prohibitory orders were in force in New Delhi
