Temple elder Tarlochan Matharu attacked during service
by Thom Morris
The chairman of Dartford's Sikh temple was
punched in the face by a fellow Sikh during a religious
ceremony.
Chairman of the temple's management committee Tarlochan Matharu,
74, was knocked to the ground and spent eight hours in
hospital.
A 61-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault
occasioning actual bodily harm and issued with a formal
caution.
Mr Matharu runs the Guru Harogobind Sahib Gurdwara in Highfield
Road, Dartford, and says it is not the first attack he or his
friends have endured.
The Highfield Road resident said: "This is a Sikh temple, but
there are lots of problems since there was a change in the
management committee.
"The attack happened in the main hall of the building after a
religious ceremony. I was sat at the back and this man just came up
to me and punched me several times in the head.
"We called the police. I would have thought this was something
he should have been charged with and appeared in court."
He added: "I have been assaulted twice since taking over, the
first in July and then again on Sunday.
"There is also a woman who has been accusing me of stealing from
the temple.
"My friend has been assaulted and another colleague has been
assaulted also. It's very, very bad - it's terrible and was
without warning. I think it's very worrying."
Mr Matharu, who has lived in Dartford for 52 years, says he now
plans to hire the same lawyer that dealt with the Stephen Lawrence
case in London as he believes officers are not taking the issue
seriously enough.
The Guru Harogobind Sahib
Gurdwara in Highfield Road, Dartford
His first assault, dating back to July, is currently being dealt
with by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Sgt Paul Squire, from Kent Police, said: "While we don't
want to get involved with internal politics, we take seriously
every offence reported to us and deal with it in accordance with
justice.
"We are aware of the situation at the temple and have dealt with
each case individually."
The aim of the temple and its management committee is to advance
and promote the religion and interests of the followers of the Sikh
faith as well as promoting the Sikh faith within the community.
The Gurdwara is the Sikh place of worship. Any building where
the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scripture, is kept is a Sikh place
of worship. It is called the Gurdwara or "gateway to the Guru".
A Kent Police spokesman said: "Police were called to the
Sikh temple in Highfield Road, Dartford, at 11.13am on Sunday to
reports a 74-year-old man had been assaulted.
"A 61-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault
occasioning actual bodily harm and issued with a formal
caution."
28/11/12
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