Try GOLD - Free
PUNJAB REPORTS RISE IN SACRILEGE-LINKED KILLINGS
The Sunday Guardian
|January 21, 2024
14 cases since 2016. Rising intolerance against religious shrines is worrisome.
A sudden surge in sacrilegerelated incidents accompanied by subsequent murders in around half a decade is grabbing eyeballs of common people in Punjab.
On Monday night, Nihang Sikh Ramandeep Singh Mangu Math was apprehended for allegedly murdering a man for his irreverence at a Phagwara Gurudwara. This blasphemy-related killing increased the toll to 14 since 2016.
Of total 14 cases, five are intertwined with the Bargari sacrilege case, a prominent political issue in Punjab since 2015. Notably, between 2016 and 2022, five followers of the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda, accused or linked to the 2015 sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib in Faridkot, were murdered. Both men and women lost their lives in such incidents as murderers show intolerance towards irreverence to Sikh holy shrines.
Chronicle of such incidents are presented below.
This story is from the January 21, 2024 edition of The Sunday Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Sunday Guardian

The Sunday Guardian
Fin Min Hosts 'PSB Manthan 2025'
The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, organised PSB Manthan 2025, a two-day programme that concluded on Saturday in Gurugram.
3 mins
September 14, 2025
The Sunday Guardian
Delhi Police Bust Pakistan-Backed Terror Network
Police arrest five operatives, foil Pak-linked plot to establish extremist Caliphate
3 mins
September 14, 2025
The Sunday Guardian
Transformation Speeds as PM Modi Turns 75
Under reforms that are either completed or nearing completion during Modi 3.0, India is evolving into the ideal investment alternative to China, the prime security threat of both the US and India.
4 mins
September 14, 2025

The Sunday Guardian
Two Shootings and Tariffs
Many commentators, based on the antagonistic media portrayals of Mr. Trump, reject his maneuvers as cheap theatrics. However, the political astuteness of the man who, despite negative media narratives, lawfare, and attempts on his life, must not be doubted.
5 mins
September 14, 2025

The Sunday Guardian
Delhi Govt Unveils Roadmap To Tackle Looming Smog Crisis
As the smog season approaches, the Delhi Government has introduced a comprehensive, year-round strategy to combat the capital's air pollution, with a strong focus on technology-based solutions, enhanced citizen participation, and stricter enforcement measures to address the challenges of the upcoming winter months.
2 mins
September 14, 2025

The Sunday Guardian
Album Should Resonate With Listeners And Spread Gandhi's Message: Ricky Kej
Three-time Grammy Award winner, a US Billboard Number One artist, UN Goodwill Ambassador, and Padma Shri awardee, Ricky Kej spoke to The Sunday Guardian on his latest album, \"Gandhi: Mantras of Compassion\". This new age album is a musical tribute to the Mahatma and is in collaboration with Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi.
7 mins
September 14, 2025

The Sunday Guardian
Dollar dominance unlikely to change in near future: Geeta Gopinath
Gita Gopinath, former IMF Chief Economist and Deputy Managing Director, now back again at Harvard as a Professor, believes dollar dominance is unlikely to change in the near future, citing the strength of American institutions and its financial markets as critical factors.
2 mins
September 14, 2025

The Sunday Guardian
China Can Never Coexist With India Harmoniously
Even today, China refuses to acknowledge India's sovereignty over key territories, while aggressively building infrastructure along disputed borders.
2 mins
September 14, 2025

The Sunday Guardian
WHY LIFELONG LEARNING, NOT DEGREES, WILL DEFINE CAREERS BY 2035
The corporate sector is about to enter an era of unprecedented transformation, as in the coming years the emphasis will be more on proven skills and less on degrees.
3 mins
September 14, 2025
The Sunday Guardian
Facing a tough fight, BJP likely to drop several Bihar MLAs
The Bharatiya Janata Party is likely to contest around 105 seats in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, with significant churn expected in its candidate list.
2 mins
September 14, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size