Sikhs in Kashmir protest desecration of holy book

 Srinagar: A group of Sikhs on Saturday staged a protest in Srinagar against the alleged desecration of their holy book in Punjab early this week.

Slogan-shouting Sikhs gathered at Press Enclave in the heart of the city but were dispersed by police after they set ablaze two effigies to denounce Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for his alleged failure to bring the culprits to book.

Kashmiri Sikhs burn an effigy during their protest (Photo: AP)

The Sikh youth were carrying religious flags, placards and banners reading "Khalistan Zindabad" and "minorities unsafe in India".

The protest was organised by Jammu and Kashmir unit of Gurmat Taksal and the protesters dispersed peacefully after police intervention.

Accusing BJP and RSS of "hurting their religious sentiments", Head of Gurmat Taksal Sukhbir Singh said the community would not tolerate desecration of their holy book.

"Today, the minorities are feeling unsafe in India and their religious sentiments are being hurt every now and then. BJP and RSS are directly responsible for it," he charged, demanding stern action against the culprits behind the desecration of the holy book in Punjab.

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Punjab sacrilege: National highway blocked by Sikh protesters

Two persons were killed and several others injured on Wednesday when police opened fire on Sikh demonstrators protesting the alleged desecration in Punjab.

Sikhs also staged a noisy demonstration at Hatmurrah in Anantnag district of south Kashmir against the incident, officials said.