A 21-year-old Pakistani national, identified as Khizar Hayat has pleaded guilty in Perth Court to a reprehensible act of desecration against the Gutka Sahib, a sacred Sikh text, filming himself in the act and uploading the footage to TikTok.
The incident that has sent shock waves throughout the Sikh community in Australia occurred at the Canning Vale Sikh Temple in Western Australia’s capital Perth on August 29, 2024. It sparked widespread condemnation, protests, and calls for stricter legal actions, not only from the Sikh community but also from other religious and cultural groups across Australia.
More than 50 members of the Sikh community gathered at the Armadale Magistrates Court to witness Khizar Hayat plead guilty to one count of intending to racially harass. Although the community welcomed his guilty plea, there is widespread concern that Hayat may face only a fine as a penalty, a consequence viewed as grossly inadequate given the gravity of the crime.
Hayat has been granted strict bail on a $10,000 personal undertaking, which includes a ban from using social media, a requirement to report to police daily, and an enforced curfew from 6 pm to 6 am. He is also restricted from leaving Australia.
His sentencing will take place next month, but Sikh community leaders have expressed a deep fear that the legal response so far is not sufficient to serve as a deterrent for future acts of sacrilege.
The desecration, which took place in front of the Canning Vale Gurudwara, saw Hayat throw the Gutka Sahib—a revered scripture for Sikhs—onto the ground, step on it, tear its pages, flush parts down a toilet, and ultimately set portions of it on fire.
The videos, shared on TikTok, quickly went viral, leading to international outrage and deep emotional pain within the Sikh community.
Hayat’s actions have been described as an attack on the core of Sikh spirituality. The Gutka Sahib, also known as Pothi Sahib, is not just a religious book but is considered a living Guru for Sikhs.
As part of the Guru Granth Sahib, its teachings and presence guide the spiritual lives of Sikhs worldwide. For a community that has been integral to the social fabric of Australia for years, the incident represents the first of its kind in the nation’s history, resulting in significant devastation, heartbreak, and anger.
The Sikh Council of Western Australia and Hindu Council of Australia, were among the first to condemn the act, labelling it “Un-Australian.”
In a joint statement, the organisations emphasised that such actions undermine the principles of religious harmony and respect for cultural diversity that Australia is known for.
Community leaders echoed this sentiment, calling for measures to build peace and social cohesion in all religious communities. They stated that this kind of sacrilegious behaviour is a direct attack on the values that uphold Australia’s multicultural and inclusive identity.
The community has rallied together across the nation to respond to the incident, with meetings, ROS Marches (Mourning Marches), and awareness rallies being organised. Their demands are clear: they are calling upon the Australian Government, law enforcement authorities, and lawmakers to treat this issue with the seriousness it deserves. There are also requests for a full public inquiry into the incident.
The Sikh community’s desire to see Hayat face harsher penalties, ideally through charges that could be moved to the District Court, where more severe punishments could be issued. There are also calls for Hayat to be deported as he is not an Australian citizen.
As part of their campaign, Indian Australian community leaders have called for amendments to the Racial Vilification Act to cover incidents like the desecration of sacred texts more comprehensively. This amendment would enable stricter penalties for those found guilty of religious hatred and sacrilege. The community has also expressed interest in seeing the Australian Government implement specific laws aimed at preventing offences against sacred religious texts, not just for Sikhs, but for all faiths represented in Australia.
Despite the intense grief and anger, the Indian Australian community is calling for unity and urging the Australian government to take effective measures to prevent such sacrilegious acts in the future. They have stressed that this is not merely a religious issue but a matter that affects the very foundation of Australia’s multicultural values.
As Hayat’s sentencing approaches, the world will be watching to see how Australia responds to this call for justice, hoping that the nation’s commitment to multiculturalism and respect for all faiths will prevail.
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