Gurdwara publicity stunt by BJP supporting influencer prompts anti-Sikh outpour

A publicity stunt by a yoga influencer at a holy Sikh site exposed an ongoing Indian nationalist agenda to demonise the community and undermine its institutions, such as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

Archana Makwana, an influencer based in Gujrat, faced international backlash after an offensive post where she stood on her head in Sri Harmandir Sahib. After criticism regarding the classless act, the well-known affiliate of far-right Hindu nationalist political party the BJP, Makwana soon began challenging the SGPC and her critics.

NOTE- Sikh PA will not share the disrespectful pictures of Makwana standing on her head in a place of worship.

Leading Sikh body the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) have said Makwana, who is an affiliate of the far-right Hindu nationalist party BJP, is working under a “nefarious, hateful” agenda.

SGPC stated that “she violated Maryada (protocol/guidelines) at Sri Harmandir Sahib, hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community by posting the objectionable photo/video on her social media. After the incident, the manager on duty lodged a police complaint against her, resulting in an FIR (First Information Report) registered by Amritsar Police.”

Makwana initially apologised for “hurting the religious sentiments” of Sikhs but has since released several videos attempting to defend her actions and also claiming she is the victim of death threats. She has claimed that she was not aware of the Maryada (guidelines) during her visit. She also claimed that during her visit nobody stopped her from filming but, in reality, SGPC stated that “she was stopped at the entry gate on June 21 by the on-duty Sevadar (selfless volunteer), when she was filming her entry”. The leading Sikh body in charge of India’s Gurdwaras also said Makwana “did not even pay any obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib, or any related Gurdwara Sahib inside the complex”, she simply entered the complex to do yoga and for the photo opportunity on 21st June. SGPC questioned her by stating “if she felt apologetic, then why is she continuing to post objectionable and hateful expressions”.

There is much evidence of Makwana’s political alignment to the far-right affiliated BJP. The situation has also been manipulated by Indian nationalists to suggest Sikh orgs are in conflict with an Indian way of life. Some Indian media even stated Makwana is receiving this backlash because of her caste, despite it having no connection to the issue. Furthermore, various Indian nationalist commentators have posted on social media claiming reaction to Makwana’s disrespect shows “extremism” within the nation’s 2% Sikh community, prompting more anti-Sikh sentiment.

Far-right Hindu rhetoric has consistently been trying to portray Sikhi as just another form of Hinduism, and claim that Sri Harmandir Sahib is a Hindu mandir. Thus, such situations allow Indian nationalist fanatics to claim Sikh authorities are the ones dividing Indians and distorting the Sikh faith. This is despite the fact every respected Sikh educational body advocate Sikhi as completely separate from Hinduism. The disrespect for Sikh Maryada (guidelines) at a Gurdwara from an individual who is affiliated with the BJP is therefore seen as something more sinister than an honest mistake, which is why SGPC have described Makwana’s motivations as “nefarious” and “hateful”.

Read SGPC’s full statement below:
https://x.com/SGPCAmritsar/status/1806227707639820737