By Sarbraj Kahlon, OMNI News Punjabi
A Sunday congregation at Gurdwara Dasmesh Darbar Sahib in Surrey was disrupted last week, raising alarm within the local Sikh community and prompting a police response.
Gurdip Singh Samra, president of the Gurdwara, told OMNI News Punjabi that a young man interrupted the packed gathering by removing his head covering — a gesture considered deeply disrespectful in Sikh sacred spaces — and shouting pro-Hindutva slogans, including “I am Hindu.”
Gurdit Singh, a preacher at the Gurdwara and eyewitness to the event, recounted that the individual was escorted out of the Darbar Hall after yelling, “I am Hindu,” and making inflammatory remarks, allegedly such as “I dislike Sikhs,” “behead me,” and “I am here to get killed so I can become a martyr in the Hindu community.”
Though removed from the premises, the man reportedly re-entered the Gurdwara shortly after. Volunteers apprehended him again and detained him behind the Langar Hall until Surrey Police arrived. The subject was arrested and, according to a statement from Surrey Police to OMNI News, was taken to a hospital for mental health-related issues.
“This was an unfortunate incident but not related to a political agenda,” the police stated, attributing it to “the deterioration of an individual’s state of mind.” The police added, “Hopefully, he will receive the treatment he requires. As this is a medical issue, Surrey Police won’t comment further.”
This story was originally published in vancouver.citynews.ca. Read the full story here.
