Gujarat-based social media influencer Archana Makwana on Thursday issued a new video and slammed the SGPC for lodging an FIR against her in the Golden Temple Yoga Case. Archana Makwana shared the video on her Instagram and stated that she did not think that she had done any wrong as locals were doing the same act i.e. filming videos & taking photos. Not only this, but Archana Makwana also outlined that there were many sewadars present at the spot when she was doing yoga and taking pictures but none of them told her to delete the photo or stop filming anything. Archana Makwana also outlined that the person who snapped her Yoga photos in front of the Golden Temple was also a Sikh. The influencer also outlined that she has suffered mental harassment and social media abuse due to the SGPC action. Makwana further stated that it has not been too late and SGPC should take back the FIR or else her legal team is ready to face them.
Archana Makwana shared her video with her statement which reads, "When I was doing Shirshasana on 21st June 2024 at Golden Temple Amritsar 1000 of sikh people were watching me not one person stopped me or raised an objection on it. Infact the Gentleman who took my photo was a Sardarji himself he didn’t find it offending , he didn’t stop me from doing it, the people who were watching it Live weren’t offended then I am wondering how come it’s wrong & how has it hurt someone’s religious sentiments ? The local people who come to temple everyday don’t know the rules , then how can they expect a Hindu Girl travelling for the first time to Punjab know the rules , specially when no one stopped me."
"All this is baseless , I don’t know what is the propaganda of the SGPC TRUST but I feel victimised. The F.I.R against me needs to be quashed because The F.I.R doesn’t have any base , it’s just that because the SGPC COMMITTEE didn’t disclose the true facts to the police they accepted it. I tried to sort this issue Peacefully but they don’t seem to understand it, it’s affecting my business & that I won’t tolerate at all…Everyone who agrees with me & wants to support me please raise a voice against them stating that the F.I.R needs to be cancelled by writing to Punjab Police."
Archana Makwana summoned by Amritsar Police
The Amritsar Police has issued orders to the influencer to appear in Police Station Division E by June 30. Following the SGPC’s complaint, a case under section 295A of the IPC was registered against Archana Makwana. This section deals with intentional outraging of the religious sentiments of any class, which could lead to imprisonment or a fine, or both.
Postponing the legal action, a notice was issued to appear at the concerned police station by June 30. If Archana Makwana does not appear till June 30, then 2 more such notices will be sent. Failure to adhere to those notices will result in a police team being dispatched to Gujarat for her arrest.