Amritsar, Punjab Police have booked a fashion designer and lifestyle influencer for "hurting religious sentiments" by performing yoga at the Golden Temple complex here.
The case was registered after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) filed a complaint against fashion designer Archana Makwana.
She was arrested under Section 295-A (deliberate and malicious intention to outrage religious sentiments of any class) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), police said on Sunday. The case was registered on Saturday.
The SGPC said on Saturday it had lodged a police complaint against Makwana for "hurting religious sentiments" by performing yoga at the Golden Temple and sharing those photographs on social media.
Makwana, however, apologized for her actions and said that she never intended to hurt anyone's religious sentiments.
On Friday, International Yoga Day, Makwana visited the Golden Temple and practiced yoga on the 'parikrama' (circumambulation) path.
The SGPC, the apex gurdwara body, had also suspended its three employees for not discharging their duties diligently.
"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 said in a statement.
"Sikh sentiments and 'maryada' (conduct) have been hurt by the act and a complaint has been lodged with the police," he added.
Makwana later apologized for her behavior in a story posted on her Instagram account.
"I posted something without any intention to harm anyone's religious sentiments. I did not know that practicing yoga in the Gurdwara Sahib premises could be offensive to some as I was just paying my respects and did not intend to harm anyone," Makwana said.
"I sincerely apologize for any harm I may have caused and promise to be more conscientious in the future. Please accept my sincerest apologies," she added.
The case was registered after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) filed a complaint against fashion designer Archana Makwana.
She was arrested under Section 295-A (deliberate and malicious intention to outrage religious sentiments of any class) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), police said on Sunday. The case was registered on Saturday.
The SGPC said on Saturday it had lodged a police complaint against Makwana for "hurting religious sentiments" by performing yoga at the Golden Temple and sharing those photographs on social media.
Makwana, however, apologized for her actions and said that she never intended to hurt anyone's religious sentiments.
On Friday, International Yoga Day, Makwana visited the Golden Temple and practiced yoga on the 'parikrama' (circumambulation) path.
The SGPC, the apex gurdwara body, had also suspended its three employees for not discharging their duties diligently.
"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 said in a statement.
"Sikh sentiments and 'maryada' (conduct) have been hurt by the act and a complaint has been lodged with the police," he added.
Makwana later apologized for her behavior in a story posted on her Instagram account.
"I posted something without any intention to harm anyone's religious sentiments. I did not know that practicing yoga in the Gurdwara Sahib premises could be offensive to some as I was just paying my respects and did not intend to harm anyone," Makwana said.
"I sincerely apologize for any harm I may have caused and promise to be more conscientious in the future. Please accept my sincerest apologies," she added.
