Punjab: Alleged Sacrilege Bid At Patiala Temple, Accused Held. CM Channi Claims Involvement Of 'Vested Interests'

Last year, on December 18, a man was beaten to death in an altercation by angry devotees after he allegedly attempted to commit sacrilege at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

New Delhi: Another alleged incident of sacrilege has been reported in the poll-bound state of Punjab as Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday said that such an attempt was made at Kali Mata Mandir in Patiala.

Patiala SP City Harpal Singh said that the police will verify the incident and take action against the accused.

"Today around 2.30 pm, a person arrived at Sri Kali Mata Mandir in Patiala and climbed on the threshold where the idol of Sri Kali Mata Ji was installed. Following this, he was caught and handed over to the police": Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

He stressed that he will not let vested interests trying to destabilise Punjab's social harmony, succeed in their malicious motives.

"Some vested interests are continuously trying to destabilise the social harmony of Punjab in view of the upcoming elections, but I will not let them succeed in their malicious motives," CM Channi said.

Talking about the case, Patiala SP City Harpal Singh said: "We will verify the alleged sacrilege incident, we will take action against the accused", ANI reported.

Sukhbir Badal, Arvind Kejriwal Condemn Alleged Sacrilege Incident

Sharing a purported CCTV footage of the incident, Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal wrote: "Strongly condemn sacrilege at Kali Mata mandir, Patiala. We feared & warned against conspiracy by forces from outside Punjab to spread communal hatred among Hindus and Sikhs shrines. Worst fears coming true. Let's all stay united against them to preserve peace & communal harmony."

Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal also alleged conspiracy as he condemned the incident: "Conspiracies are on to disturb the atmosphere in Punjab. The sacrilege attempt at Shri Kali Mata Mandir in Patiala is condemnable. The accused should be given strict punishment. A few days ago, an attempt was made to commit sacrilege at Harmandir Sahib. Those who are behind the incidents should be exposed and be severely punished".

The Congress party's Punjab affairs in-charge Harish Chaudhary echoed CM Channi's views as he wrote: "I strongly condemn the attempt of sacrilege at Sri Kali Mata Mandir Patiala. The accused has been caught by the police. Some vested interests are making continuous attempts to destabilise Punjab for political gains".

Alleged Sacrilege Bid At Golden Temple

This comes as sacrilege cases in Punjab have been among the most prominent issues being addressed by political leaders across party lines in the poll-bound state.

Last year, on December 18, an alleged sacrilege attempt at the Golden Temple in Amritsar shocked the state. Following the incident, the accused was beaten to death in an altercation by angry devotees.

Later on December 19, an unidentified man was accused of disrespecting the 'Nishan Sahib' at the village Gurudwara in Kapurthala's Nizampur. He too was allegedly beaten to death by locals. 

In the second incident, however, the Punjab Police chief ruled out the sacrilege claim. "There was no sacrilege in Kapurthala. The main accused has been arrested. As of now, it looks like the man went inside with the intention of stealing," the then Punjab Director General of Police, Siddharth Chattopadhyaya, said, as quoted by ANI.

Meanwhile, more details about the fresh case are awaited.