Delhi Influencer Issues Apology for Golden Temple Sarovar Incident
A social media influencer from Delhi has publicly apologized for his actions at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The man, identified as Subhan Rangrreez, rinsed his mouth in the sacred sarovar, the holy pond of the shrine. This act violated the Sikh code of religious conduct, known as maryada.
Viral Video Sparks Outrage
A 25-second video of the incident went viral on social media platforms. The clip showed Subhan sitting with his feet in the sarovar. He repeatedly rinsed his mouth with the holy water. At least once, he spat the water back into the pond. This behavior drew immediate criticism from the Sikh community.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) took strong objection to the incident. The SGPC is the body responsible for managing Sikh shrines. They condemned the violation of religious protocols at the Golden Temple.
Influencer Claims Ignorance of Protocol
Following the backlash, Subhan issued an apology on Instagram. He posts content under the name 'Muslim Sher'. In his apology, he stated he was unaware of the Golden Temple maryada. Subhan claimed that no one present at the site informed him about the proper conduct.
He explained that he performed wuzu, an Islamic ablution ritual, with the sarovar water. Subhan said water accidentally fell from his mouth back into the pond. He expressed deep regret for his actions.
Earlier Video Praised Unity
Subhan had uploaded another video earlier. In that clip, he described his visit to the Golden Temple. He called it the kind of India he wants to see. Subhan noted that everyone wears turbans and all are Punjabi brothers.
He added that he wore a cap during his visit. Yet no one questioned him about it. Subhan emphasized that Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians live together as brothers. He urged that this unity should continue.
Public Apology to Sikh Community
In his latest Instagram video, Subhan addressed the controversy directly. He said, "Brothers, I visited Shri Darbar Sahib 3 days ago. I wanted to go there since childhood. I was not aware of the religious protocol there. I performed wuzu with the sarovar water, and accidentally water from my mouth fell back into it. I apologise to all my Punjabi brothers. I will come there and apologise in person as well. I apologise to the entire Sikh community. I respect all religions."
The incident highlights the importance of respecting religious customs at sacred sites. It also shows how social media can amplify such events quickly. The SGPC's response underscores their commitment to upholding Sikh traditions.
