TURLOCK: A disagreement between factions at the Gurdwara erupted into a raucous shouting match Sunday morning that some worshipers feared might turn violent.

But police were able to help restore order to the temple at 1373 Fifth St. without incident. No arrests or injuries were reported.

City officers with an assist from the California Highway Patrol separated the two factions and temporarily blocked the entrance to the temple at one point leaving at least 100 people milling about the street.

Officers reopened the entrance after leaders for both sides agreed to discuss their differences.

Tejinder Singh a Yuba City resident and other members of his group said they decided to visit the Turlock temple because of concerns that the head priest was not respecting the customs and traditions of the Sikh religion. He wore socks and kept his beard tied he said. They also said they were concerned about charges that another member of the temple’s leadership committee had molested a number of children.

Both the priest and the other temple leader should be removed from their positions of authority ‘Said the outsiders who were from Yuba City and Bay Area.

But members of the temple’s Management disputed those claims.

“We feel these people are troublemakers” said Lakhwinder Singh secretary of the committee.

He denied that customs and traditions were violated. The people who are saying this he said are not traditional themselves. And while a member of the leadership committee was arrested about 18 months ago for investigation of molestation and other counts a spokesman said all charges against the man subsequently were dropped.

The trouble erupted about 10 a.m. Sunday when members of the visiting group tried to make their views known during services.

“People wanted to speak up” said Tejinder Singh “but when they tried he (the head priest) turned off the lights and cut the power to the microphone. He was acting like a dictator.”

But members of the temple’s committee said the visiting Sikh group was attempting to take over the service.

Afraid that things might get out of hand according to a spokesman it was decided to call police. Officers remained at the scene for about 5 hours.

“We’re trying to build this place of worship” said Lakhwinder Singh. “Everybody is welcome here but if someone times to create trouble or threaten us we say get out. We don’t want that. If you want to fight go out and fight in the street.”

A spokesman for the leadership committee said the visiting Sikh group would not be welcome at the Turlock temple in the future.

Zorawar Singh of Turlock told WSN a meeting with the management is planned for April 7. Officer Olson of Turlock said the police would increase patrolling to avoid any violence.

(Modesto Bee & local reports)

Article extracted from this publication >> March 29, 1991