‘Mistake, sorry’, says SAD (Amritsar) chief Mann’s grandson as wedding visuals spark row

Ambala: Govind Singh Sandhu, a relative of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann, has issued an apology after a controversy erupted over the use of religious symbols traditionally reserved for Sri Guru Granth Sahib during his wedding rituals.A viral video of the event shows a chaur (fly whisk) being waved over the head of Sandhu, son of Mann's daughter and a descendant of the Shahzadpur Riyasat family of Sandhu Jatts in Ambala district of Haryana. Another person is seen holding a chhatar (umbrella as a mark of royalty), with sound of drums and pipes in the background, while two turbaned Sikh men escort Sandhu with spears, according to the clip.
The visuals sparked criticism from a section of the Sikh community. This because chaur and chhatar are symbols of sovereignty and reverence exclusively associated with the movement and presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the living Sikh Guru. Critics alleged that performing such a "royal" ritual for an individual, even as part of a family tradition, amounted to disrespect towards the Sikh faith and its highest spiritual authority. Amid the growing criticism, Sandhu, in a social media post on Sunday, said the holding of chhatar and waving of chaur was historically part of ancient princely wedding ceremonies, followed by his family for generations as descendants of the Shahzadpur princely state. He said the ritual was performed during the janjh (marriage procession led by the bridegroom) departure ceremony as a cultural tradition and mark of respect, without any intention to undermine Sikh beliefs. Sandhu clarified that the brief ritual should not be seen as equating any individual with the eternal greatness of the Gurus. Taking full responsibility, he admitted that waving the chaur in this context was a mistake and apologised to the entire Sikh community with folded hands. MSID:: 127840554 413 |