Chandigarh, October 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has strongly condemned the reported entry of Delhi Police personnel into Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib during Saturday’s action against protesters in the national capital, accusing the BJP of showing disrespect towards Sikh religious traditions.
In a strongly worded post on X, Mann alleged that Delhi Police personnel entered the Gurdwara premises with uncovered heads and wearing shoes, thereby violating the religious code of conduct observed at Sikh places of worship.
The Chief Minister described the alleged conduct as shameful and accused the BJP-controlled Delhi Police of adopting a “Taliban-like attitude”.
Mann said history bore witness to the fact that Gurdwaras had always kept their doors open to people in need of refuge.
He maintained that if young protesters entered Gurdwara Bangla Sahib seeking shelter, it was entirely consistent with Sikh principles for the sewadars to provide them protection.
The Chief Minister asserted that the Sikh community would never forgive the BJP for what he described as an affront to the sanctity of the Guru’s house.
Mann Defends Gurdwara’s Tradition of Providing Shelter
In his Punjabi-language post, Mann emphasised that offering shelter to people facing distress was a fundamental principle associated with Sikh religious institutions.
He argued that the presence of protesters inside Gurdwara Bangla Sahib could not justify any action that disregarded the religious traditions and sanctity of the shrine.
His remarks followed a controversy over the movement of Delhi Police personnel through the Gurdwara premises during police action against demonstrators on October 10.
Delhi Police Deny Violation of Religious Protocol
Delhi Police, however, rejected allegations that their personnel had violated Gurdwara Maryada.
Responding to videos circulating on social media, police maintained that the personnel seen wearing shoes were passing through a common passage used by visitors before reaching the designated footwear-removal point.
Police said the same arrangement applied to devotees and other visitors and released a video in support of their explanation.
The police clarification disputed the allegation concerning footwear but did not specifically address Mann’s claim that personnel had entered with their heads uncovered.
DSGMC Objects to Protest Activities
Separately, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President Harmeet Singh Kalka objected to the conduct of some protesters who reportedly entered Gurdwara Bangla Sahib during the demonstrations.
Controversy Follows Delhi Protest
The incident occurred amid police restrictions imposed in connection with a demonstration in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Some protesters reportedly sought shelter at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib during the police operation.
Mann’s statement has added a political dimension to the controversy, with the Punjab Chief Minister accusing the BJP of disrespecting Sikh sentiments while Delhi Police maintain that their personnel did not breach the shrine’s religious protocol.
The competing claims regarding the police personnel’s conduct remain disputed.
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