The SGPC has issued a warning to anyone who plans on getting a tattoo with Sikh religious symbols and Gurbani verses. Akal Takht already imposed a ban on Sikh religious tattooing, and issued an edict in June.
The then Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh had proclaimed that Sikh religious symbols or Gurbani verses on the human body, irrespective of their religion, was against the ‘Sikh rehat maryada’.
Akal Takht edict of June 17, 2013,
- It is not according to Gur-Maryada (Guru’s conduct) to tattoo holy verses of Gurbani or Sikh religious symbols on your body
- Due to this, knowingly or unknowingly, Sikh sentiments are hurt, besides ‘beadbi’ (disrespect). This is why the Sangat should abstain from such practices
He said that violators would face prosecution under Section 295 A of the IPC.
After complaints about Neeru Bajwa, a famous Punjabi actress, the SGPC made the declaration. She had Gurbani verses on her forearm. To prevent the SGPC taking legal action against her, she had to send a written apology.
In 2010, Mandira Bedi had landed herself in trouble as she had got a tattoo of ‘Ek Onkar’ in Gurmukhi on her body, inviting the ire of Akal Takht. She had to also submit an unconditional apology. Later, the tattoo was changed.
This practice was popular among Punjabi singers and film stars.
SGPC received several complaints and posted a warning on social media, asking the public to stop this practice.
“Religious symbols and Gurbani verses ought to be respected, not flaunted in such disrespectful manner. We appeal to the masses to refrain from engraving the Sikh religious symbols on their body,” said SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami.