PHILLAUR: A wave of grief and anger has swept through the Phillaur region following a tragic late-night fire at a Gurdwara dedicated to Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj, in which the holy scripture (Pawan Saroop) was severely damaged. The incident has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of the local Sikh community and prompted demands from religious bodies and congregations for a thorough and impartial investigation.
According to information shared by Tarna Dal Nihang Singh, the fire broke out at Gurdwara Sahib located in village Aneer. He stated that he received information about the incident early in the morning, after which he immediately rushed to the site to assess the situation. By the time people gathered, the fire had already caused irreparable damage to the sacred scripture kept inside the Gurdwara.
Preliminary findings by the police suggest that the fire may have been caused due to a short circuit, which led to the blaze inside the sanctum. However, Nihang Singh described the incident as highly condemnable and expressed serious concern over possible negligence. He pointed out that a Nagar Kirtan had been organized at the Gurdwara just two days prior, raising questions about post-event safety and supervision.
Further suspicion arose during the inspection when a burnt matchstick near incense sticks was reportedly found close to the Pawan Saroop. This discovery has deepened doubts and highlighted the need for a meticulous probe. Nihang Singh appealed to the villagers to cooperate fully with the police and to come forward with the truth to ensure a fair and transparent investigation. He emphasized that the matter is extremely sensitive and must be handled with religious responsibility and seriousness.
Meanwhile, speaking to the media, DSP Phillaur Bharat Masih confirmed that the fire incident was reported late at night. Upon reaching the spot, the police, with the help of local residents, managed to bring the fire under control in time, preventing further damage to the Gurdwara structure. However, despite the swift response, the sacred scripture could not be saved and was completely burnt in the incident.