Western Australia Police detectives have arrested a 20-year old man in connection with deliberately disrespecting Sikh religious scripture on Aug 27. The accused has been charged with ‘conduct intended to racially harass’ and is believed to have acted alone.
In a statement, WA Police community engagement division said, “A 20-year-old man has been charged in relation to an incident of disrespect of the Sikh religious scripture, which occurred outside the Canning Vale Gurdwara on Tuesday 27 August 2024.The incident, which was shared on social media, caused significant emotional distress to the Sikh community in Western Australia and globally. The man has been charged with ‘Conduct intended to racially harass’. The investigation is ongoing, however at this time it is believed it is likely the 20-year-old man acted alone.”
“We request the public to avoid any speculation and to share information only from credible sources. We thank the community, in particular members and leaders of the Sikh community, for their cooperation and support during the course of this investigation,” added the statement. As mandated by Australian laws, WA Police have not disclosed the identity of the youth. It is learnt the suspect had also made a video of his action of deliberately disrespecting the scripture and then it was posted on a social media platform.
The community members had then complained to the police.
