The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Saturday filed a police complaint against a woman Instagram influencer for performing yoga at Sri Durbar Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple, here in Amritsar.
The incident sparked outrage among the Sikh community.
The SGPC also took action against three ‘sewadars’ or employees for dereliction of duty at the Darbar Sahib ‘Parikrama’ by allowing women to practice yoga on the morning of June 21, which is observed as International Yoga Day.
The marble walkway is known as the ‘Parikrama’ and pilgrims make pilgrimages here to offer prayers and pay their respects.
SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said some people deliberately disregard the sanctity of the holy site and the sentiments of Sikhs have been hurt by the woman’s act.
He appealed to the ‘Sangha’ that Sri Harmandir Sahib at Sakhkhand enjoys great respect across the Sikh community and at the same time pilgrims belonging to all religions and countries come here to worship with respect.
An inquiry committee set up by the SGPC questioned the ‘sewadars’ for alleged dereliction of duty.
Instagram influencer Archana Makwana’s photo of her doing yoga has gone viral.
Amid the uproar, she expressed regret and issued a public apology.
Golden Temple general manager Bhagwant Singh Dhangera said Archana Makwana had posted the photo on her social media accounts.
“CCTV footage revealed that she entered the premises at 6.57 am and was practicing yoga at 7.04 am. She spent almost an hour in ‘parikrama’ but did not perform any prayers during her stay,” he added.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is considered a “mini parliament” of religion.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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