Sikh holy book thrown over locked gates of UK gurdwara

From Aditi Khanna London, Aug 18 (PTI) In a "hate incident", a Sikh holybook was "maliciously" thrown over the locked gates of agurdwara in the West Yorkshire region of England. West Yorkshire Police have recorded the attack at GuruGobind Singh Gurdwara on Gobind Marg in the Barkerend area ofBradford last week as a "hate incident". "Clearly this is an extremely distressing incident for thewhole congregation and the wider Sikh community and we haverecorded a hate incident," said Police Constable Mercer fromthe Bradford East Patrol Team. "I would appeal to anyone who was in and around the areanear to the gurdwara between 10pm and 10:20 PM on Friday(August 12) evening, who may have seen or heard anyone actingsuspiciously around the entrance to the gudwara to comeforward with any information," Mercer said. "I would also appeal to anyone who may have seen a whiterental van near to the location around the time of theincident to speak to police. Our enquiries, includingexamination of CCTV, are ongoing," he said. A white rental van was seen in the area and it is believedthe suspect or suspects may have used this to try and concealtheir identity. Sikh Council UK, one of the largest representative bodiesfor Sikhs in the UK, has urged "calm and solidarity" after itdubbed the incident as "beadabi (insult) of Guru Granth SahibJi". "Due process is being followed in getting to the bottom ofthe matter and for those responsible to be held accountable,"a spokesperson said. The council is also working with the gurdwara’s committeeto begin restoration work on the holy text found on thepremises. PTI AK ASK AKJ  ASK