JAMMU, Jul 14: Senior BJP leader and former Sarpanch Adv. Devraj Sharma on Sunday expressed concern over incidents of theft and vandalism at places of worship, stating that such crimes hurt public sentiments and undermine the sanctity of sacred institutions. He said such offences must be dealt with firmly and strictly in accordance with the law.
Sharma said every place of worship deserves complete security, dignity and respect, and ensuring their safety is the responsibility of the administration and law enforcement agencies. He stressed that criminal elements should never be allowed to exploit or target these institutions.
He said any incident of theft or vandalism at a place of worship should be investigated promptly and impartially. “Those responsible must be identified and brought to justice without delay. The law should act firmly and equally against every offender,” he said.
Adv. Sharma observed that while citizens should respect and preserve the sanctity of places of worship, the government and police must strengthen security measures through better surveillance, improved policing and effective coordination to prevent such incidents.
He emphasized that criminals are discouraged not merely by moral appeals but by the certainty of detection and strict legal consequences. He therefore urged the authorities to enhance CCTV coverage, deploy adequate security personnel where necessary and improve intelligence gathering to prevent crimes at vulnerable locations.
Sharma also appealed to members of the public and management committees of places of worship to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity to the authorities. He said protecting these institutions is a shared responsibility of society and the administration.
Reaffirming his commitment to the rule of law, Adv. Devraj Sharma said every citizen is equal before the law and anyone found guilty of theft, vandalism or any offence against a place of worship must face strict legal action, irrespective of background or identity. He added that impartial law enforcement and speedy justice are essential to maintaining public confidence and preserving the sanctity of the country’s places of worship.