A social media influencer from Gujarat who was on Saturday booked by the Punjab Police for hurting religious sentiments for performing yoga inside the Golden Temple premises was on Sunday provided protection by the Gujarat police after she received multiple threat calls. The FIR under Section 295-A (deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class) of the IPC comes after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had on Saturday filed a complaint with the Amritsar police against fashion designer and lifestyle influencer Archana Makwana. Even though the Amritsar police is yet to take any action into the matter, Makwana on Sunday uploaded a video on her Instagram page and informed her followers that she has been provided police security from the Vadodara crime branch. “I had not applied for security. I am grateful towards the Vadodara police and Gujarat police for taking such prompt action. I feel safe. I also thank the government of Gujarat,” Makwana said. She had earlier alleged that she was receiving threat calls after her pictures of performing yoga inside the Golden Temple went viral on social media. Makwana had also posted her pictures of doing yoga on International Yoga Day on her social media accounts. Makwana had, however, apologised for her actions and said that she never intended to hurt anyone's religious sentiments. On the International Day of Yoga on Friday, Makwana visited the Golden Temple and performed yoga in the 'parikrama' (circumambulation) path. “I posted something without intending to harm anyone's religious sentiments. I was unaware that practising yoga in the Gurdwara Sahib premises could be offensive to some as I was just paying my respect to him and did not mean any harm to anyone. I sincerely apologise for any hurt I may have caused and promise to be more mindful in the future. Please accept my sincere apologies,” she added. Meanwhile, the SGPC, the apex gurdwara body, suspended three employees on duty at the Golden Temple and ordered an investigation. “No one can be allowed to act against Sikh conduct at the Golden Temple but some people deliberately ignore the sanctity and historical importance of this holy place and commit objectionable acts,” SGPC president HS Dhami had said in a statement. “Sikh sentiments and 'maryada' (conduct) have been hurt by the act, so a complaint has been filed with the police,” he added.
