LONDON, UK—Yesterday around 10:53 AM, a person entered the Woolwich Arsenal Gurdwara and tried to set ablaze the saroop of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. He was overpowered by a member of the sangat, however, during the scuffle, an ang of Guru Granth Sahib was torn.
As per information provided by Sikh Council UK, which is working with local law enforcement agencies, “a young man walked into the Darbar Sahib Hall whilst paat was taking place. At the time there were about 50 members of the sangat in the Darbar hall.”
“The young man walked in wearing shoes and no head covering, he lit a cigarette as he walked in the Darbar Hall. The individual walked towards Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as he walked around towards the back from the left hand side a member of the sangat very quickly sought to apprehend him as he tried to reach out towards Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. During the struggle he managed to still leap forward enough to pull away the ‘Rumalla Sahib’, In doing so he has caused a tear in the Ang of the pavithar Saroop,” Sikh Council UK stated.
Local sangat have explained the man as mentally challenged and belonging to the Punjabi community. Person was handed over the police shortly after the incident. He was kept in custody overnight and will appear in magistrate’s court today.
“Arrangements have been made with Satkar Committee UK for taking away Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji for repair sewa of the Ang and full restoration,” Sikh Council UK stated.
“It is apparent from the footage the whole incident took place in a space of a few seconds from the point of entry by the individual to when he ran from the premises.”
In August 2016, an act of beadbi took place in Bedford where a person dropped a saroop of Guru Granth Sahib outside the Gurdwara Sahib’s gate. There was huge uproar within the sangat, however no charges could be filed against the person as the UK police did not find anything against the law in this case.
Most people wear shoes when they are walking around. This made the news?
@Mark Jacobson Wearing shoes, uncovered head, smoking, using intoxicating substances within the premises of our place of worship are strictly against rules of Sikhism. we have to deposit our shoes before entring the main hall. It may not be a big deal for you, to a Sikh, this is purely non-acceptable