WELL-KNOWN Punjabi journalist Gurpreet Singh Sahota reported on X on Monday  that “during the Sunday congregation at Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar in Surrey, an incident occurred where a Hindu youth suddenly removed and threw away his head covering in the packed congregation and started shouting pro-Hindutva slogans.”

He wrote: “The congregation present at the scene escorted him out, but he managed to come back inside. He was caught again and taken behind the Langar Hall, where the police were called, and he was arrested. The police are now investigating the matter.”

According to Sahota: “Before his arrest, the young man started behaving in a way similar to mentally disturbed individuals who claim to be possessed or influenced by spiritual entities. A similar incident had taken place a few weeks ago as well.”

He wrote: “The Gurdwara management suspects that this is not merely the case of a mentally ill person but a deliberate attempt to create disruption. They are worried that if, in the future, any member of the congregation reacted strongly, it could be used to defame the Sikh community.”

According to Sahota: “An eyewitness reported that videos related to the Hindu-Sikh tensions in Toronto from a few months ago were found on the youth’s phone. Additionally, his phone revealed that he was part of some provocative WhatsApp groups. The youth reportedly stated at the scene that someone had sent him there with instructions to create a disturbance so that the Sikhs would harm him, making him a “martyr” for Hindus. Many witnesses were present during this statement. According to an eyewitness, he repeated the same statement to the police.”

Sahota wrote: “The Gurdwara management has urged the congregation to remain vigilant and composed while also appealing to the police to take this matter seriously. They have also warned other Gurdwara committees to stay alert as similar incidents could happen elsewhere.”