Navjot Sidhu apologises for 'unintentionally' wearing shawl with Sikh symbols

Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, December 30

Former Congress minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has offered an apology on Twitter for wearing a shawl having symbols of Sikhism made on it.

Also read: Sidhu kicks up storm for draping cloth with Sikh religious symbols over shoulders

"Sri Akal Takht Sahib is supreme. If I have unknowingly hurt the sentiments of even one Sikh, I apologise," the cricketer-turned-politician tweeted.

The Amritsar legislator said millions wore the revered symbols of Sikhism on their turbans, clothes and even carved tattos with pride. He too as a Sikh wore the shawl unintentionally, he said.

Sidhu landed in a controversy after he posted his photo with the shawl on Facebook.

The photo, which showed Sidhu with a piece of cloth embossed with Sikh religious symbols around his shoulders, was soon widely circulated on social media, prompting Sikh Youth Power of Punjab, religious body, to take it up with Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh for strict action.

The Sikh Youth Power of Punjab claimed it wasn't the first time Sidhu was involved in alleged desecration.

The organisation said in its memorandum that the piece of cloth contained Sikh religious symbols like Ik Onkar and Khanda and Sidhu's act allegedly hurt the religious sentiments of the community.

Sidhu had earlier drawn criticism from the community for having participated in a 'yajna' and wearing a sacred thread on his body in 2009.

In 2013, the then Akal Takht Jathedar had issued a warning to Sidhu after he 'flippantly' quoted from Gurbani on a TV show.

In 2017, he was accused of distorting a verse of Gurbani.