NEW DELHI: Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Harmeet Singh Kalka on Saturday criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the presence of protesters at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Expressing displeasure over the incident, Kalka accused AAP leaders of indulging in what he described as “dirty politics” and attempting to drag gurdwaras into political controversies.
“A protest was held in Delhi today, and I am surprised to see the dirty politics that Aam Aadmi Party leaders have started playing in its wake and how they have started defaming gurdwaras. A gurdwara is open to people from all communities, and everyone is served there. Protesters entered the gurdwara and tried to forcibly enter its hall,” Kalka said.
He alleged that protesters entered the gurdwara premises despite efforts by the management to stop them, sat inside, raised slogans and displayed placards brought for the demonstration.
“Today, the protesters entered the gurdwara premises, raised slogans, put up banners and posters, and sat there. This hurts the sanctity of the gurdwara. When the police arrived to remove them, our manager ensured that no police personnel or protesters climbed the stairs and entered the Darbar Hall. The protesters were making strong attempts to enter the hall and raise slogans inside,” he said.
Kalka maintained that Gurdwara Bangla Sahib welcomes people from all communities, but its premises should not be used as a platform for political demonstrations. He also stressed that the management had taken steps to prevent the protesters and police personnel from entering the Darbar Hall.
DGSC Secretary Jagdip kahlon also slammed AAP govt over Police entering Gurdwara premises. Kahlon says AAP should refrain from indulging politics on the Gurdwara & also urges the protestors to maintain the decorum & not carry the protest plaques, Gurdwara Sahib is place of worship, everyone is welcome for Food (langar) & shelter but no protest inside Gurdwara premises.
The incident has triggered a wider debate over the use of religious premises during political protests, particularly when demonstrators seek shelter at places of worship to avoid police action.
BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu also criticised AAP and its national convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, over the incident, calling for an apology to the Sikh community.
In his statement, Bittu said, “Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib is a sacred sanctuary of Gurbani, seva, and prayer—not an arena for political stunts and sloganeering. Compromising Sikh Maryada for petty politics is unacceptable. Arvind Kejriwal and AAP must tender an unconditional apology to the Sikh Sangat immediately.”
The controversy has also prompted questions about maintaining Sikh religious decorum and Maryada, within gurdwara premises. Gurdwaras are places of worship, prayer and seva, and visitors are expected to respect the established religious protocols, including covering their heads.
The episode has brought the sanctity of religious institutions into focus, with calls for places of worship to remain spaces of faith, service and community rather than venues for political confrontation.
