Archana Makwana visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar on the International Day of Yoga and executed her go-to yoga pose, Shashankasana. Her actions, however, provoked criticism and had legal repercussions. She was the target of a complaint from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which claimed that her yoga practice inside the Golden Temple offended Sikh religious feelings. Influencer and lifestyle blogger Archana Makwana later took down the post from her social media accounts and apologized, saying she didn’t know it may offend anyone and didn’t aim to hurt anyone. She received death threats over the phone despite her apology.
The incident involving Archana Makwana performing yoga inside the Golden Temple led to significant legal and social repercussions:
Police Complaint and Charges:
- The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) filed a police complaint against Archana Makwana for performing yoga within the premises of Amritsar’s Golden Temple.
Dismissal of SGPC Employees:
- In addition to legal action against Makwana, the SGPC took internal measures.
- Three SGPC employees were dismissed from their jobs due to negligence in duty related to the incident.
Public Apology and Removal of Content:
- Archana Makwana removed the photos and videos of her yoga practice from her Instagram account.
- She publicly apologized, expressing that she didn’t intend to harm anyone’s religious sentiments.
- Death Threats:
- Despite her apology, Makwana received death threats over phone calls.
Archana Makwana thanked Gujarat police for providing security protection after she received death threats.
— BALA (@erbmjha) June 23, 2024
Amritsar Police had lodged an FIR against her for doing Yoga at the Golden Temple. pic.twitter.com/gpWdgQi9y7
Yoga is banned inside Golden temple premises.
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) June 22, 2024
Here's a video of MusIims performing Namaz there.
So Namaz is acceptable?
And Yoga is unacceptable?
SGPC is openly promoting hatred towards Hindus & working on the ISI agenda… They openly promote KhaIistan movement as well. pic.twitter.com/tn3nisuJJd