Court notice for distorting ‘shabad’

Chandigarh: Judicial magistrate Pradeep Synghal on Monday issued notice to Punjab cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia on a petition filed by an advocate seeking action against him for hurting religious sentiments by distorting Gurbani.

The court has directed Majithia to f ile reply to the petition on July 28. Majithia had courted controversy by distorting Gurbani during election campaign in Amritsar while seeking votes for BJP’s candidate Arun Jaitley.

SAS Nagar-based advocate Mandeep K Deep had moved court seeking Majithia’s prosecution for violating Section 295-A ( deliberate a nd malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the Indian Penal code.

The petitioner has sought unqualified apology from Majithia.

The petition is based on the clipping of the speech made by Majithia to seek votes and support for BJP nominee from Amritsar Arun Jaitley, in Shaheed Udham Singh Hall wherein he distorted the ‘shabad’ (hymn) of tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh.

“I saw the video on YouTube, wherein Majithia can be seen asking the gathering to repeat by raising their hands, “Deh Shiva var mohe, Shubh karman se kabhoon na taroon, na daroon ar seo jab jaye laroon, Nishchay kar Arun Jaitley ki jit karoon” instead of “Nischai kar apni jeet karoon” as mentioned by Shri Guru Gobind Singh in Chandi Charitar Ukati Bilas composition of Dasam Granth,” said advocate Mandeep, while pointing out the distortion.

She claimed in the petition, “No one is permitted to change or alter the original shabad or wording of Gurbani. But, cabinet minister has dared to act and conduct in the above-said manner and thus has offended the entire Sikh community and its precedents just to please his political alliances and for their vested political interests.”

The petition fur ther said, “The act and conduct of Majithia makes the nefarious design of the political persons crystal clear as they can even go up to any extent for the sake of the fulfillment of their political interest but at the same time nobody has any justification to hurt the religious sentiments of any community whatsoever it may.”

“We had sought action against Majit hi a a nd t he c o ur t has issued notice seeking reply.”

Source: HT