Those planning to get tattoos of Sikh religious symbols or Gurbani verses on any part of their body have been warned by the SGPC. In June, Akal Takht enacted an edict banning Sikh religious tattoos.
Giani Gurbachan Singh, then Akal Takht Jathedar, had declared that tattooing Sikh religious symbols or Gurbani verses on the human body was against the ‘Sikh rehat maryada’.
IPC Section 295-A will apply to the violators, according to him.
Inks of Gurbani verses were inked on the forearm of famous Punjabi film actress Neeru Bajwa. SGPC took legal action against her after she submitted a written apology.
As a result of getting a tattoo of ‘Ek Onkar’ in Gurmukhi on her body in 2010, Mandira Bedi got into trouble with Akal Takht. It was also her responsibility to apologize unconditionally. Her tattoo was later altered.
Nevertheless, this practice flourished, especially among film stars and Punjabi singers.
As a result of several complaints, the SGPC issued a warning on its official social media handle, asking the public to refrain from this practice.
It is disrespectful to flaunt religious symbols and Gurbani verses in such a disrespectful manner. SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami appealed to the masses not to engrave the Sikh religious symbols on their bodies.