Harbhajan Singh in the dock

A local court in Chandigarh admitted a criminal complaint against cricketer Harbhajan Singh and TV actress Mona Singh for hurting the sentiments of Hindus and Sikhs by their performance in a reality T.V. dance show.

The court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate here listed proceedings of the case for next Monday.

Harbhajan Singh and Mona Singh, both Sikhs had appeared on the show, Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena on Colors channel dressed up as Mythological characters Ravana and Sita and performed a dance number. This has irked both Hindu and Sikh groups which have demanded apologies from both performers.

The complaint against Harbhajan and Mona was filed by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and human rights activists The TV channel Colors has also been named in the complaint.

“This act is shameful. Both should come on TV with a garland of shoes around their necks to apologise for this,” Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Vijay Bhardwaj said.

The Akal Takht, the temporal seat of Sikhs which had sought an apology from him, expressed dismay over Harbhajan’s delay in seeking an apology and his “wayward behavior” by wearing a tilak and depicting himself and his co-star as mythological demon-king Ravana and Lord Ram’s wife Sita.
But Jathedar Gyani Gurbachan Singh said no individual or organisation has approached the Takht against Harbhajan. “If someone lodges a complaint with the Akal Takht, we will certainly verify the facts and if it (the complaint) is found to be legitimate then we will think what can be done,” the Jathedar said.

Harbhajan Singh has always been surrounded by controversy for letting his hair down and appearing for a liquor advertisement (both prohibited by his religion), for word duels with Australian cricketers, and for slapping fellow player Sreesanth in public view. His turn as Ravan is the latest feather in his cap.