On June 21, Archana conducted a yoga session at Sri Harmandir Sahib and shared some photos and videos on her Instagram account.
Archana Makwana, a young woman from Gujarat who performed yoga at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on International Yoga Day, is facing increasing difficulties. On June 21, Archana conducted a yoga session at Sri Harmandir Sahib and shared some photos and videos on her Instagram account. After the pictures went viral on social media, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) expressed objections.
However, netizens on social media posted pictures of Namaz praying stating that Namaz offers are acceptable within premises of Sri Harmandir Sahib, reciting Khalistan zindabad within Gurudwara is acceptable but not yoga.
Consequently, the police at Kotwali Station in Amritsar have registered an FIR against Archana Makwana under Section 295-A of the IPC for hurting religious sentiments. The complaint against the young woman was filed by Bhagwant Singh, the manager of the Golden Temple.
The station in-charge stated that the investigation is ongoing. The location where the yoga session took place is being inspected, and discussions are being held with the security personnel from the task force present at the site on the day of the incident.
The SGPC has ordered an investigation into why the task force did not stop the photo session during the yoga activity. Three employees on duty at the time have been removed from their posts, and two employees have been suspended. Additionally, one employee has been fined Rs. 5000 and transferred to Gurdwara Garhi Sahib (Gurdasanangal). Further investigation is underway against the young woman, and subsequent actions will be taken based on the findings of the report.
Archana, a fashion designer from Vadodara, Gujarat, apologized on social media on June 22 after learning about the objections and removed the photos. She wrote, “My intention was not to hurt anyone’s religious sentiments. If I did, I apologize to everyone. I was unaware that performing yoga at Sri Harmandir Sahib was considered an offense. I will not make such a mistake at any religious site in the future.”
SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami stated that anything against Sikh religious traditions will not be tolerated. An investigation is being conducted to determine whether the girl was genuinely unaware or acted deliberately.