Chandigarh-The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has strongly condemned the alleged assault and forcible destruction of the beard of Mohanjit Singh Shoern in police custody and demanded that the Punjab Government immediately register a criminal case against the police personnel allegedly responsible.
Chahal said the incident had provoked anger among the Punjab diaspora over the manhandling. If the allegations are established, the incident represents not merely an act of police misconduct but a deeply serious assault on the religious dignity and fundamental rights of a Sikh citizen. The beard and uncut hair hold profound religious significance for Sikhs, and any allegation that police personnel deliberately interfered with or destroyed a Sikh’s beard must be investigated with the utmost seriousness.
Chahal said the Punjab Government cannot remain silent when allegations of such grave misconduct are made against members of the police force. Police officers are entrusted with enforcing the law, not placing themselves above it. If officers are alleged to have assaulted a citizen, humiliated him or forcibly damaged his religious appearance, they must be subject to the same law and due process as any other citizen.
Chahal demanded the immediate registration of an FIR against the police personnel allegedly involved, followed by an independent and impartial investigation. The investigation, Chahal said, should establish exactly what happened, identify every officer involved and determine whether there was any direction, conspiracy, abetment or attempt to conceal the alleged misconduct.
“The uniform cannot become a shield against criminal accountability. If a police officer has committed an offence, the fact that the accused is a police officer cannot be a reason to avoid registration of a case,” Chahal said.
NAPA also demanded that all available CCTV footage, mobile-phone recordings, body-camera footage, station records, medical records and other relevant evidence be preserved immediately so that no evidence is lost, altered or destroyed during the investigation.
Chahal said the allegations were particularly disturbing in the context of Punjab’s continuing debate over sacrilege, religious dignity and the responsibility of the state to protect the religious rights of its citizens. The government cannot demand respect for religious institutions and religious sentiments while remaining indifferent to allegations involving the alleged forcible destruction of a Sikh’s beard by state personnel.
NAPA made it clear that its demand is not for punishment without investigation. Its demand is for an FIR, an impartial investigation, due process and accountability if the allegations are substantiated.
“The Punjab Government must demonstrate that the law applies equally to everyone. A citizen should not have to fight the state merely to obtain registration of a criminal case when serious allegations are made against police personnel,” Chahal said.
NAPA has therefore urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to personally ensure that the matter is investigated independently and that the police department does not investigate itself in a manner that could create a conflict of interest or undermine public confidence.
Chahal said the incident should not be dismissed as an ordinary dispute between an individual and the police. If the allegations are found to be true, it raises serious questions about police accountability, protection of religious identity and the rule of law in Punjab.
“We demand justice for Mohanjit Singh Shoern. We demand registration of a case. We demand an impartial investigation. And we demand accountability for every person found responsible, regardless of rank or position,” Chahal said.