Row over ‘kalgi’ at Sonam’s wedding

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 10

The big fat wedding of Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor and businessman Anand Ahuja in a traditional “Anand Karaj” ceremony held recently has embroiled in a controversy over violation of the Sikh “rehat maryada” (tenets).

Guru Granth Sahib was brought from the Golden Temple in Amritsar and former head priest of the Golden Temple Jaswinder Singh sat behind the holy scripture to bless the couple. The hazoori ragi and ardasia (one who performs ardas) from the shrine, too, were present.

Former SGPC general secretary Sukhdev Singh Bhaur and former “Panj Pyaras” said SGPC staffers overlooked that the “kalgi” on the turban of the groom was not removed in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib. Seeking intervention of Akal Takht, they demand action against the SGPC staffers whose negligence led to the violation of norms during the wedding.

“It was a violation of Sikh tenets if anyone sits before Guru Granth Sahib with a kalgi on turban. This implies that the person is equating himself to the stature of Gurus,” he said.