SGPC chief advises TV channels to respect Sikh sentiments

Fatehgarh Sahib, Jun 17 (UNI) Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar today advised TV channels to refrain from telecasting programmes or displaying posters that could ''hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs''.

Replying to questions by mediapersons on the alleged attack on the MTV office in Mumbai yesterday by a group of Sikhs, Jathedar Makkar claimed that the channel had hurt the religious feelings of the community by displaying a derogatory poster.

This was not the first time that the sentiments of Sikhs had been hurt, he said. The SGPC chief said requests had frequently been made to the Centre to appoint a Sikh representative on the Film Censor Board or any such organisation for viewing the contents of films or TV programmes before clearance.

Asked whether he justified the attack on the MTV office, Jathedar Makkar quipped, ''it was only a protest.'' Referring to the Akshay Kumar action-comedy Hindi film, ' Singh is King', Jathedar Makkar said the SGPC was informed prior to the release of the movie that there were certain objectionable scenes which had depicted Sikhs ''in poor light''. The matter was immediately taken up with the film producer and the objectionable portions were removed, he added, while claiming that a SGPC panel had viewed and cleared the picture for release.

UNI XC-HS HS BST1832