'Joora disrespect' row: Police take legal opinion on SGPC complaint against Raja Warring

Ahead of the Tarn Taran bypoll on Tuesday, Congress state president Raja Warring’s controversy over disrespecting Sikh continues to rage.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has approached the Tarn Taran police to register a criminal action against Raja Warring. The police are taking legal opinion on the issue. Tarn Taran SSP Surendra Lamba said action would be taken as per the legal opinion.

Sikh Scholar Surinder Singh Jodhka said, "Raja Warring's act was offensive. Not just Sikhs, all religions should be respected. No religious symbol can be ridiculed in this way. Before others, the Congress party should take action against him."

Also read: SGPC preacher slams Raja Warring’s remarks on youths in police custody

The Opposition parties especially the Shiromani Akali Dal has urged the Akal Takht to take action against Warring.

The controversy erupted on November 8 when Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, the president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) and a Member of Parliament from Ludhiana, was accused of disrespecting Sikh religious symbols during a campaign event in Tarn Taran.

A viral video captured Warring touching the "joora" (the traditional hair bun tied on the head) of two young Sikh boys while making a ‘playful remark’ and imitating the sound of a horn or trumpet ("toon toon toon toon").

In the video, Warring approaches two young Sikh children and says in Punjabi, "Kidhar chale hai do sardaar, toon toon toon toon?" This translates roughly to "Where are you going, two Sardars, toon toon toon toon?" The phrase "toon toon" mimics the sound of a horn, which rival politicians claim was disrespectful.

The clip, approximately 17 seconds long, has been widely shared on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter).

AAP spokesperson MP Malvinder Singh Kang has demanded Akal Takht intervention and a social boycott."

This is Warring's second major controversy this month. Earlier, on November 5, an FIR was filed against him for alleged casteist remarks ("Kala Mazhabi Sikh" or "Black Mazhabi Sikh") against the late Dalit leader Buta Singh, which he apologised for unconditionally.

Warring has so far not issued a statement regarding this incident, unlike his retraction on the casteist remarks.  

Political expert Jagrup Singh Sekhon Congress does not have mature leaders. Buta Singh remarks on, parochial system. Politicians do not seem to have any solutions to the people's issues.

“What is the message Raja Warring is giving to the young Sikh boys? It is not the act of a mature leader who understands the history and sensitivity of Punjab and Sikh issues. He is in a responsible position as head of the party in the state. His position is already under scrutiny due to various controversies. He should have been careful. However, in such controversies, the real issues confronting the masses get buried.