BATHINDA, Punjab—renowned Sikh preacher Baba Baljit Singh Daduwal was arrested on Friday by Faridkot police in a 5 year old case. Soon after his arrest, the SGPC took over complete control of the Gurdwara. Daduwal’s supporters have alleged that he is being punished for helping supporters of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) and Haryana Sikh leaders in taking over some Gurdwaras.
The case registered against Baba Daduwal in 2009 was for the clashes with Sirsa based notorious cult followers at Bargadi village of Faridkot district. Police has also registered a fresh case against him under the Arms Act and two others namely Randhir Singh of Gurdaspur and Harjinder Singh of Bathinda.
The arrest has clear connection with the role played by Baba Daduwal in formation of HSGMC. He is a member of a 41 member committee of HSGMC. The police have claimed to have recovered “illegal” weapons allegedly comprised of two pistols, seven rifles, and 300 cartridges from his custody.
The police presented arrested Baba Daduwal and wanted his police remand in Bajakhana case but the court did not accept their plea. The police was able to secure one day remand of Baba Baljit Singh along with two others in fresh case registered under the Arms Act.
Daduwal, along with eight others who were booked for attempted murder were sent to judicial custody at Faridkot Jail on March 17, 2009 til March 31,2009.
Daduwal had accused Badal of being a kingpin behind the whole incident as he was focusing on the Dera votes. He also charged the Faridkot police for torture and then ‘falsely implicating’ them in a case related to attempted murder.
After the arrest of Baba Daduwal, a Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) member supported by Punjab police took over the Gurdwara Jandalisar Kotshamir in Bathinda managed by him.
The historical Gurdwara Jandalisar Sahib is sanctified by Tenth master of Sikhs Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Baba Daduwal was running his preaching activities from this Gurdwara for many years.
Heavy police forces have been deployed for “security” of the Gurdwara. The villagers also reached the Gurdwara and protested to SGPC members for over taking the Gurdwara claiming that four families of village donated their land for religious place and Sant Daduwal was placed by the villagers.
Daduwal’s supporters have alleged that SGPC has no right to take over the Gurdwara. Notably, police sent all villagers out of the Gurdwara urging them peace. The villager accepted police man request and went out but raised objection over the takeover. They said that if anyone has committed an offense must face it but if Daduwal comes back he should be allowed to look after the Gurdwara, added the villagers.
