Chandigarh: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday condemned the attack on a Sikh businessman in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, by mob and the vandalism of his showroom.
The SGPC chief secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan has written to Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and the state police, demanding a stringent action against the perpetrators.
Stating that in the attack that took place on Sunday, a mob not only physically assaulted the Sikh traders but also pelting stones at their showrooms, causing significant damage, Mannan held that the mob forcibly removed the victim Sikh’s turban, an act of sacrilege, and desecrated his Kes (unshorn hair).
Given these religious violations, he urged the authorities to add sections of hurting religious sentiments in the case against the culprits.
The SGPC has reached out to the victim and assured full support.
According to the businessman, a local Congress councillor has been harassing Sikh traders for some time and is allegedly behind this attack.
Mannan, in his letter to the chief minister,has urged the state government to ensure a fair investigation, identify all culprits, and take immediate legal action.
