Muslims perform Namaz outside Sri Darbar Sahib (L) and Archana Makwana performing Yoga outside Golden Temple (R) (Image Source: Facebook and X respectively)
On June 22, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) filed a formal police complaint against a young woman for practising yoga within the Golden Temple premises in Amritsar. Additionally, the SGPC initiated disciplinary measures against three of its employees for their perceived negligence in duty. This action has sparked widespread debate and backlash on social media.
The woman, Archana Makwana, a social media influencer, performed yoga at the Golden Temple to spread awareness about its benefits. However, her actions were deemed inappropriate by the SGPC, leading to legal action against her.
Following the incident, many netizens questioned the SGPC’s motives, pointing out what they see as a double standard.
Social media users highlighted instances where the SGPC had previously allowed Namaz prayers within the Golden Temple, accusing the committee of showing bias.
Influencer Vijay Patel criticised the SGPC’s actions, stating, “A Dalit woman, Archana Makwana, performed yoga at the Golden Temple, resulting in legal action against her. But they don’t have a problem with Namaz at the Golden Temple. Why so much hate against Hindus?”
Patel shared a video of a man performing Namaz inside the temple, emphasising the perceived inconsistency.
Amitabh Choudhary, another verified user, echoed similar sentiments. He wrote, “No issue with lynching innocents in the name of sacrilege, no issue with Namaz inside the Golden Temple, no issue with Nihangs and other Sikh groups fighting inside the sanctum sanctorum, but all hell broke loose when a Hindu girl did yoga outside the gurdwara. Yoga is a form of meditation to God as per Sikh gurus even, and they too practised it and promoted it.”
Makwana initially posted a video of her performing yogasanas at Shri Harmandir Sahib on her Instagram account on June 21. Following the backlash, she issued a public apology on June 22, expressing regret for unintentionally hurting religious sentiments.
In her statement, she clarified, “I recently posted something without intending to harm anyone’s religious sentiments. I was unaware that practising yoga in the Gurdwara Sahib premises could be offensive to some as I was just paying my respect to him and didn’t mean any harm to anyone.”
Despite her apology, Makwana revealed she had received death threats via phone calls. The situation escalated, despite her efforts to seek understanding from the affected community.
The incident has ignited a debate on social media regarding cultural and religious appropriateness in public displays, highlighting the consequences of unintentional cultural insensitivity in the digital age.
Savitri Mumukshu, a social media user, pointed out the teachings of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which promotes yoga. She quoted, “SGPC doesn’t care that the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 909 (Guru Amar Das ji) tells devotees to sit in Yoga Asanas to find true Yoga (union) through the words of the Guru’s shabad. In fact, entire Ang 909 discusses Yoga. They are making a big deal about banning Yoga inside the Golden Temple because they want to erase all links with Hinduism.”
Another verified user, Dr. Vedika, wrote, “Yoga is taught to children in the premises of Gurudwara Sahib in Ludhiana on the occasion of #InternationalYogaDay. On the other hand, SGPC files a case against a woman for the ‘heinous act’ of performing Yoga in Golden Temple premises. Yoga is even described in GGSJ 223 (sikhnet). Namaz is allowed, beheading a goat is too, but doing Yoga is hurting sentiments why?”
This incident is seen by many as an attempt to suppress Yoga due to its association with Hindu Dharma, a sentiment believed to stem from the Khalistani separatist movement.
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