'Seek Forgiveness': SAD Chief Sukhbir Badal Apologises For 2015 Sacrilege Case

Shiromani Akala Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal apologised to the Sikh community and sought unconditional forgiveness for failing to catch the culprits of the 2015 sacrilege cases when SAD was in power.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday apologised to the Sikh community for failing to catch the culprits in the 2015 Bargari sacrilege case, when his party was ruling Punjab. While addressing a gathering during the 103rd foundation day of the party in Amritsar, he expressed regret that the sacrilege took place during SAD's rule. He added that he apologises to Guru Maharaja and Panth, in case anyone was hurt by the party's action during its rule.

“Submitting myself to the Guru's will in the precinct of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest religio-temporal seat of the Sikh quom, I sincerely and unconditionally seek forgiveness of the Khalsa Panth that heinous act of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji happened during Akali govt. I also apologize that we couldn't apprehend and punish the culprits during the brief remaining part of our tenure. I am very sad that we couldn't understand and defeat the conspiracies of some so-called Panthic individuals and organisations and allowed them to compel us to hand over the probe to the CBI. These incidents remain the most painful events in my life and the life of S Parkash Singh Ji Badal," he said.

He added, "I fervently appeal to all those who may have left Shiromani Akali Dal for whatever reason including any possible mistake or injustice committed against them by anyone including me or Badal sahab or by anyone else in the party. Only a united Khalsa Panth under a united Akali flag can defeat the massive challenge posed by the enemies of the Panth and Punjab. I appeal to all of you to respond to my appeal for a homecoming."

What Was The 2015 Bargari Sacrilege Case?

It is a series of desecration of Guru Granth Sahib which started on June 1, 2015, when Guru Granth Sahib was taken from a gurdwara in a village called Burj Jawahar Singh Wala in Faridkot district, Punjab. Following this, several Sikh leaders gave an ultimatum to the police on June 5, 2015, to find the culprits.

On June 11, 2015, several members of Sikh religious organisations staged a protest in the village and accused the police of inaction. They tried to surround the local police station post where a large unit was deployed. According to the Tribune, around 17 Sikhs were critically hurt in the clash with the security forces. 

Then, on the morning of October 12, 2015, more than 110 Angs (pages) of the Guru Granth Sahib were found lying on the ground in front of a gurdwara in Bargari, Faridkot district. The residents of nearby places announced a bandh. The members of some Sikh religious organisations took out a protest march while carrying the torn Angs.

After that, a number of incidents of desecration were reported from various places in Punjab, as reported by the Scroll.in. Around 35 Angs of the Guru Granth Sahib were found torn in Mishriwala village of Ferozepur district.

A series of protests and clashes with the police forces were also observed across the state during this timeline.