Amritsar
Punjab Police on Wednesday summoned Archana Makwana, a social media influencer from Gujarat facing charges for performing Yoga at Sri Darbar Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple in Amritsar, to join the investigation by June 30. The incident had sparked widespread outcry among the Sikh community, who viewed it as a breach of the temple’s ‘maryada’.
Amritsar Police issued a notice to Makwana, stating that if she fails to appear by June 30, additional notices will follow. A senior police official warned that non-compliance could lead to her arrest, with a team dispatched if necessary.
Darpan Ahluwalia, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police in Amritsar, clarified that Makwana’s statement would be recorded first before any arrest action is taken. A notice has been sent to her to appear and provide her statement, Ahluwalia stated.
In response, Makwana declared on social media that she would refrain from visiting any gurdwara in the future. She had been booked under Section 295-A of the Indian Penal Code following a complaint by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which accused her of hurting religious sentiments.
SGPC General Secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal urged Makwana to cooperate with the investigation and suggested she report threats received to law enforcement, emphasizing that such actions do not represent Sikh values. Amid the controversy, Makwana issued a public apology expressing regret over the incident.
