Sikh clergy forgives Harbahajan on Ad row

Amritsar, Oct 13 (UNI) The Sikh clergy today 'forgave' off spinner Harbhajan Singh for appearing in an advertisment with his hair untied.

''Since the cricketer has apologised publicly, we have decided not to pursue the matter'', they said after a meeting at the Akal Takht in the Golden Temple complex here.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vidanti, who chaired the meeting, said that the matter need not be pursued as Harbhajan had apologised.

The clergy took this decision after deliberating on a compalint against Bhajji sent to the Akal Takht Jathedar by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) a few days back. In the complaint the SGPC had said that Bhajji's appearance in the advertisment with his hair untied was unethical and his action had hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community.

Though the SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar had already 'forgiven' the off spinner after he tendered an apology, the matter was still pending before Giani Joginder Singh. The Akal Takht head had a few days back expressed satisfaction with the apology tendered by Bhajji but today a formal announcement was made after the Sikh clergy met and discussed the complaint of the SGPC.

Besides Giani Joginder Singh Vidanti the others who attended the meeting were the Jathedar's of Takht Keshgarh Sahib, Takht Damdama Sahib and Takht Patna Sahib at Patna. A representative of Takht Hazoor Sahib at Nanded in Maharashtra was also present.

The offie had, in his apology, stated that he was not aware that his action would hurt the sentiments of the Sikhs.

''I did not do this deliberately and if someone had guided me i would not have appeared in the Ad with my hair untied'', he had said in his public apology.

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