Sikhs outraged by use of ‘mool mantar’ in dance performance at Chile event

GS Paul
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, April 2

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has objected to the use of the Sikh holy ‘mool mantar’ as background lyrics for a dance performance at a programme that President Ram Nath Kovind recently attended in Chile.

SGPC was inundated with complaints from Sikhs across the world after a video clip of the performance, also uploaded on the President’s official Twitter handle, went viral. SGPC chief secretary Roop Singh said Sikhs were offended with the use of the holy Sikh chant.  

“In Sikhism, the mool mantar and Japji Sahib prayers hold immense significance and it ought to be recited with ‘maryada’ (respect). Conducting a dance item on its rhythm could not be held valid under any circumstances. It was shocking that this video clip was posted on the official social media account of President of India. This move has hurt the Sikh sentiments,” he said.

Kovind is currently on an official tour to Chile.

The performance was part of a welcome programme of a event the Indian Diaspora organised for the President.