Vadodara-based fashion designer and social media influencer Archana Makwana has received death threats for performing yoga at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on the International Yoga Day.
The Punjab Police have registered a case against her based on a complaint by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) which has accused her of offending Sikh religious sentiments.
Archana Makwana performed yoga poses at the famous Golden Temple on International Yoga Day. However, after criticism, she deleted the posts and apologised on Instagram, stating that she didn’t intend to offend anyone. Despite her apology, Makwana claimed that she was receiving death threats.
She said she visited the temple after receiving a yoga award in Delhi and performed yoga briefly as a gesture of gratitude. She also said she was unaware that practising yoga in the Gurdwara Sahib premises would offend religious sentiments of some people. Her intention was to pay respect and not offend anyone, she reiterated.
The SGPC, the apex gurdwara body, had also suspended its three employees for not diligently performing their duties.
“No one can be allowed to act against Sikh conduct at the Golden Temple but some people deliberately ignore the sanctity and historical importance of this holy place and commit objectionable acts,” SGPC president HS Dhami had said in a statement.
“Sikh sentiments and ‘maryada’ (conduct) have been hurt by the act, so a complaint has been filed with the police,” he added.
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