Bhai Mandeep Singh Kubbe Village (Sahnewal)
Sahnewal/Ludhiana, Punjab (September 03, 2012): Bhai Mandeep Singh of Kubbe village in Samrala sub-division of Ludhiana district shot at Dalip Kumar in police custody at Sahnewal Police station on August 31, 2012. Dalip Kumar, a Bihari migrant was guilty of committing an act of extreme disrespect towards Sri Guru Granth Sahib when he along with others interrupted an Akand Paatth Sahib being held at Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji Gurdwara Sahib, Sahnewal on the intervening night of 30 and 31 August, 2012.
Advocate Jaspal Singh Manjhpur, General Secretary of Akali Dal Panch Pardhani told Sikh Siyasat that Bhai Mandeep Singh was currently lodged at Ludhiana Jail and next date appearance before the court is September 13, 2012.
Dalip Kumar (Sahnewal Incident)
Meanwhile, according to reports, Dalip Kumar is undergoing treatment at a local hospital in Ludhiana. Police is reluctant to disclose the name of hospital citing security reason but sources have revealed that the accused Dalip Kumar was admitted in Apollo Hospital.
According to media report two bullets have been removed from his body but one bullet is still in his body and it is expected that doctors shall operate for it’s removal in coming days.
This incident has sparked a variety of reactions in Punjab as well as Sikh circles across the globe but the incident has brought no shock, fear or regret for the family members of Bhai Mandeep Singh. This Kubbe village family is in high spirits and talks about Sikhi and Sikh history to the visitors.
Bhai Amrik Singh Isru, Vice-President of Akali Dal Panch Pardhani, who is in constant contact of family since the occurrence of incident told Sikh Siyasat that all the family members are Gursikhs and have utmost respect for Sri Guru Granth Sahib. This is a Taksali Sikh family that has strong faith in Guru Sahib.
On the day of incident Bhai Mandeep Singh had went to the police station with other local Sikh to inquire about the progress of police investigations against accused Dalip Kumar and his accomplices. Bhai Mandeep Singh is reported to have told family members that he wanted to know that why Dalip Kumar commented that act and if he was regretful or apologetic for what he did that night. But Dalip Kumar used provocative language against Sikh religion and upon this sudden provocation Bhai Mandeep Singh shot at Dalip Kumar with his licensed weapon. He further told that though he had no intention to kill or shot at Dalip Singh but he has no regret for what he did. He said it was unbearable to listen to the disrespectful utterances towards Guru Granth Sahib.
Bhai Mandeep Singh Sahnewal’s family members
Bhai Mandeep Singh’s grandfather Bapu Surjeet Singh, mother Kulwinder Kaur and wife Kuljinder Kaur have appealed to the Sikh nation that no funds should be collected for them as they would not be accepting any funds, donations or contributions.
Mata Kulwinder Kaur said that she was proud of her son as he whatever he did, he acted for maintaining respect for the Guru Sahib.
There are reports that some migrant labourers’ welfare organizations are accusing the police for shooting incident in which Dalip Kumar was wounded. The situation is the area is reported to peaceful as no incident of any untoward happening is reported in last 3 days.