The duplicity of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) came to the fore today when it lodged a police complaint against fashion designer and lifestyle influencer Archana Makwana for “hurting religious sentiments” by performing yoga at the Golden Temple and sharing the photos on social media. In a comparable situation earlier, the SGPC had not objected to a group of Muslims’ act of offering salah (namaz) at the site.
Makwana has since apologised, stating she never intended to offend anyone. On 21 June, the International Yoga Day, she had visited the Golden Temple and performed yoga in the ‘parikrama‘ (circumambulation) path.
The SGPC, the main gurdwara authority, also suspended three of its employees for not performing their duties adequately. SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami said a complaint has been submitted to the police commissioner, urging action against Makwana.
“No one can be allowed to violate Sikh conduct at the Golden Temple. Some people deliberately ignore the sanctity and historical importance of this holy place and engage in objectionable acts,” Dhami stated. He emphasized that Sikh sentiments and ‘maryada‘ (conduct) had been hurt, prompting the complaint.
Dhami appealed to the public, highlighting Harmandir Sahib’s great reverence in the Sikh world and the diverse group of pilgrims who visit. He stressed the importance of adhering to the ‘maryada’ of the site.
Darbar Sahib general manager Bhagwant Singh Dhangera added that the woman’s actions had hurt the sentiments of Sikhs and the ‘sangat’ (community).
Later, Makwana apologised on her Instagram story, explaining, “I posted something without intending to harm anyone’s religious sentiments. I was unaware that practising yoga in the Gurdwara Sahib premises could be offensive as I was just paying my respect and did not mean any harm.”
“I sincerely apologize for any hurt I may have caused and promise to be more mindful. Please accept my sincere apologies,” she wrote.
Popular pro-Hindu handles joined other Hindus to condemn the selective outrage of the SGPC. “Mr Sinha” wrote on X: Yoga is banned inside Golden temple premises. Here’s a video of Muslims performing Namaz there. So Namaz is acceptable? And Yoga is unacceptable?” He found a Pakistani ISI connection in the affair and warned against the development creating a rift between Hindus and Sikhs.
“Being Political” expressed a similar sentiment:
Rishi Bagree posted documentary evidence of the act of selective targeting by the SGPC:
Sonam Mahajan called for a reality check by Hindus who believe all religions are equal and tolerant.
Arpita Chatterjee wondered what kind of a secular country this was:
Meanwhile, no Dalit rights group or individual has played the caste card despite the Scheduled Caste of the victim of religious intolerance.
One may recall that the Dalit voice was absent altogether earlier when a Scheduled Caste man was lynched in broad daylight and a video of some Sikhs slicing his skin and flesh was posted on social media.
Of course, more than 15 Dalit organisations met National Commission for Scheduled Castes president Vijay Sampla after the brutal lynching that had happened at the Singhu border of Delhi. However, no bandh was called or any city held to ransom in protest.
No protests are held even when Dalits bear the brunt of Muslims’ anti-Hindu hatred.
