Koyta Attack on Pune Cop: Sikh Community Accuses Police of Hurting Religious Sentiments

Koyta Attack on Pune Cop: Sikh Community Accuses Police of Hurting Religious Sentiments

Pune, August 27, 2024 – A violent incident involving a police officer and an ensuing controversy has sparked a heated debate over religious sensitivity and police conduct in Pune. The Sikh community has accused the Pune Police of violating Sikh religious practices by allegedly removing the turbans of arrested suspects.

The controversy stems from an incident on Sunday, around 4 p.m., when Assistant Police Inspector Ratnakar Gaikwad of the Mohammadwadi Police Chowky was attacked with a koyta (machete) while attempting to intervene in a fight near the Sasanenagar railway gate. Following the attack, the police apprehended Nihalsingh Mannusingh Tak (19) and Rahulsingh Ravindrasingh Bhond (20) from Solapur, along with their accomplices Amarsingh Tak, Anil Bansode, and Suraj Bhandari. All five suspects were presented before a magistrate, who granted police remand until September 4.

However, the Sikh community has raised serious allegations against the police, claiming that the officers removed the turbans from the accused while transporting them to the police station. Raj Singh, Founder of Sikh Helpline, expressed outrage over the incident, labeling it as a grave violation of Sikh religious sentiments. “We condemn the Pune Police’s inhumane and despicable act of disrobing Sikh youths,” Singh said. “The removal of their turbans, leaving their hair exposed, is reminiscent of the dark British era and is aimed at defaming the Sikh community.”

Singh has submitted a formal complaint to the Director General of Police and demanded immediate action, including the suspension of the officers involved, an unconditional apology from the Pune Police Department, and mandatory training for police personnel on Sikh religious practices and human rights.

In response, Senior Police Inspector Sanjay Patange of the Wanawadi Police Station denied the allegations. “The accused were not wearing turbans; they had caps on,” Patange stated. He further noted that the accused are known history-sheeters with numerous criminal cases against them across Maharashtra.

As the investigation continues, the clash between community grievances and police responses underscores the ongoing challenges in balancing law enforcement with respect for religious and cultural sensitivities.