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This is an archive article published on January 26, 2025

Man attempts to vandalise Ambedkar statue near Golden Temple, arrested

The accused, identified as Akashdeep Singh, a resident of Dharamkot, Moga, also tried to damage a sculpture depicting the Constitution.

Ambedkar statue vandalising attempt accused heldAkashdeep Singh, 24, during his arrest in Amritsar for trying to vandalise a BR Ambedkar statue. (Express Photo)

A person Sunday tried to vandalise the statue of B R Ambedkar adjacent to Golden Temple in Amritsar’s Heritage Street.

The accused, identified as Akashdeep Singh, a resident of Dharamkot, Moga, also tried to damage a sculpture depicting the Constitution placed beneath the statue.

The man climbed up a ladder that was placed near the statue on the occasion of Republic Day. The ladder was there as several organisations usually garland the statue on Republic Day as a tribute to the ‘Father of the Constitution’.

The tourist department security staff present at the site apprehended the man who had climbed up the ladder with a hammer and handed him over to the Kotwali police station.

Harsandeep Singh, In-Charge, Kotwali police station, said the police arrested the accused and were recording statements in the incident.

Later in the day, former BJP MP Vijay Sampla asked the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Sri Akal Takht Sahib to issue a clarification on the attempted vandalisation.

Reacting to Sampla’s remarks, the SGPC said in a statement, “Linking this act to the corridor of Shri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) is entirely incorrect. The statue is located near the Partition Museum and Kotwali, where the government and administration hold full responsibility. While the outer corridor of Shri Harmandir Sahib also falls under government management, the statue is situated nearly a kilometer away from there.”

“The Sikh institutions respect Dr B R Ambedkar and condemn the act of vandalism against his statue. However, Vijay Sampla linking this incident to Shri Harmandir Sahib and raising questions has created confusion among the public and the devotees. Such actions are highly condemnable. This kind of fabricated rhetoric and baseless allegations are unacceptable. Therefore, Sampla should withdraw his statement, as it is not right to create any form of misunderstanding among the devotees,” the statement added.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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