Harbhajan-Mona Singh’s ‘Ravana-Sita’ dance upsets Sikh clergy
October 8th, 2008 - 9:10 pm ICT by IANS ( 1 comment )
Amritsar, Oct 8 (IANS) As if his on-field antics were not enough to keep him in the midst of controversies, Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh’s ‘Ravana-Sita’ dance number with TV actress Mona Singh on a dance show has left the Sikh clergy fuming.Harbhajan, who is popular in cricket circles as ‘Bhajji’, and his dance partner Mona of “Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin” fame, had last week performed a number on dance reality show “Ek Khiladi, Ek Hasina” depicting themselves as mythological demon-king Ravana and Lord Ram’s wife Sita.
Gurbachan Singh, the acting head of the Akal Takht, has taken strong exception to the depiction of Hindu gods by the two celebrities, who incidentally, are both Sikhs.
“Though I have not received a complaint in this regard, I think it is unreasonable to mock at religious deities like this. Ravana is known as evil. How can Ravana and Sita dance together? That the dance was done by two Sikhs is condemnable,” the Akal Takht chief said.
He added that if any complaint in this regard was made to him, he would inquire into it and initiate religious action against the erring stars.
Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar said that celebrities should desist from such acts as they are role models for millions of fans.
Radical Hindu organisations have also objected to the dance number that allegedly mocked Hindu sentiments.
In Hindu mythology, Rama’s wife Sita was abducted by demon-king Ravana.
“We should show respect to all religions and their entities. If we cannot tolerate anything against our religion, how can we mock at others?” Gurbachan Singh said.
Harbhajan has been mired in several controversies in recent months including his on-field spat with Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds and opener Mathew Hayden.
He was also involved in a ’slapgate’ controversy with Indian teammate and fast bowler S. Sreesanth when he slapped the latter after losing a match in the multi-million dollar Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament.
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- Harbhajan apologizes for 'Ravan-Sita' dance - Oct 20, 2008
- NGO to appeal against court's clean chit to Harbhajan - Sep 02, 2009
- Badal conferred highest Sikh title, radicals cry foul - Dec 05, 2011
- TV actress Mona Singh chased with summons in Chandigarh - Sep 16, 2009
- Congress opposes move to summon PM to Akal Takht - Sep 05, 2011
- Harbhajan, Mona Singh are 'Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena' winners - Oct 26, 2008
- Former Akal Takht head excommunicated from Sikh religion - Jan 29, 2010
- Bhajji revs up controversy again, this time with Hummer - Sep 03, 2009
- Former Akal Takht head held guilty of religious misconduct - Dec 06, 2009
- Amitabh pleads innocence in 1984 anti-Sikh riots - Dec 01, 2011
- Akal Takht calls upon excommunicated persons to return to Sikh fold - Jun 07, 2010
Tags: akal takht, Andrew Symonds, avtar singh, demon king ravana, hindu gods, hindu mythology, hindu organisations, mathew hayden, mona singh, wife sita
October 9th, 2008 at 1:48 am
Dear Sir,
In the above article S. Avtar Singh Makkar has written that Harbajan Singh is role model for millions,then more important in my view will be objecting to his trimming of beard which is strictly prohibited in sikhism, rather than issue of ravana, here he is tarnishing the image of his own religion and community,dont you think this is a valid weighted point,
advuppal