Name Game

Under pressure from Sikh religious groups,Hindi entertainment channel Colors has decided to change the title of their new show Gurbani. The channel sent out an official statement on Monday to announce the same after news reports emerged about complaints by religious groups in Punjab. The new title of the show is Bani – Ishq da Kalma.

Religious organisations such as Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee,Amritsar,and Jathedar Akal Takht Sahib had objected to the use of the word “gurbani”,which refers to hymns and compositions of the Sikh gurus and is hence,considered sacred by the community. The prime time show went on air on March 18.

Colors,however,denied having been informed by the Jalandhar Police about an FIR filed against them,as reported by the Punjabi media. “We haven’t received communication to this effect. The decision to change the name is our way of reaching out to the concerned people and organisations who have raised objections against the title,” said a channel spokesperson.

The statement clarified the context of the title with regards to its story,but said it decided upon changing the title to “respect the sentiments of the people”.