'Offensive' Kartarpur fashion shoot irks many

Lahore-based model called out for compromising the sanctity of the place, as she poses bareheaded for the camera

A clothing brand recently came under fire after an alleged photo shoot at the Kartarpur Corridor. The shoot was pointed out by prominent Indian Sikh journalist, Ravinder Singh Robin. In the aforementioned shoot, a model can be seen bareheaded, posing for the camera, compromising the sanctity of the place.

"Modelling bareheaded for ladies' attire, in the premises of Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan, by a Lahorite woman," the journalist tweeted. "[This] has several hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs. Further, the pictures were uploaded on social media." Ravinder went on to tag PM Imran Khan and the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Pakistan.

Modelling bareheaded for ladies' attire, in the premises of Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib at #KartarpurSahib in Pakistan, by a Lahorite woman, has several hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs. Further the pictures were uploaded on social media.@ImranKhanPTI @MORAisbOfficial pic.twitter.com/i5RX01kWGo

— Ravinder Singh Robin ਰਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ رویندرسنگھ روبن (@rsrobin1) November 29, 2021

The furore over the pictures soon took over social media as many called out the brand and the models for being insensitive towards Sikhs.

Modelling at Sri Kartarpur Sahib is Desecration. Pak Court issued Arrest Warrant of star who did dance video at Mosque; same must be done against this woman frm Lahore as example of treating all religion at par

Otherwise, any talk of respect for Sikhism is hollow @GovtofPakistan https://t.co/0OsPJyg3a9 pic.twitter.com/T2CigYRsxR

— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) November 29, 2021

Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management committee, too, condemned the act. "Modelling at Sri Kartarpur Sahib is desecration. Pakistan court issued arrest warrant of star who did dance video at Mosque; same must be done against this woman from Lahore as an example of treating all religion at par." He added, "Otherwise, any talk of respect for Sikhism is hollow."

Such behaviour & act at pious place of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji is totally unacceptable!
Can she dare to do the same at her religious place in Pakistan?@ImranKhanPTI @GovtofPakistan shd tk immed action to stop this trend of treating Sri Kartarpur Sahib as picnic spot by Pak people pic.twitter.com/AwyIkmqgbC

— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) November 29, 2021

In another tweet, he Manjinder commented, "Such behaviour and act at the pious place of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji is totally unacceptable! Can she dare to do the same at her religious place in Pakistan? Imran Khan and the government of Pakistan should take immediate action to stop this trend of treating Sri Kartarpur Sahib as a picnic spot by Pakistani people."

Another user wrote, "Extremely disappointed not only me but the whole Sikh community at this kind of clothing brand shoot inside Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib."

#Kartarpur #Sahib #Gurdwara just a prop for the Pakistanis? Is this following #Maryada? #Pak model without her head covered with her back to Gurdwara Sahib? Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi wants #Maryada sign posts at the Gurdwara Sahib so that sentiments are not hurt by 'the ignorant' pic.twitter.com/GndzjSR8Lv

— GAURAV C SAWANT (@gauravcsawant) November 29, 2021

An editor at India Today shared, "[Is] Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara just a prop for the Pakistanis? Is this the following of rules? Pakistani model without her head covered with her back to Gurdwara Sahib?"

This is unacceptable. These unethical practices will not be tolerated. Sometimes, it's their Tiktok stars & the other times it's their fashion industry.

— Navdeep Singh (@Navdeep_UK) November 29, 2021

"This is unacceptable. These unethical practices will not be tolerated. Sometimes, it's their Tiktok stars and the other times it's their fashion industry," said another user.

"Apologies, sir. In Pakistan, these social media stars and influencers have lost their minds. They have disrespected several other religious places (including Faysal mosque) like this," penned another one. "I hope the government takes notice of this. No one should be allowed to disrespect anyone’s religious places."

Apologies, sir. In Pakistan these social media stars and influencers have lost their minds. They have disrespected several other religious places(including faysal mosque) like this. I hope govt takes notice of this. No one should be allowed to disrespect any1’s religious places.

— Sohaib Nehal (@Sohaib_Nehal) November 29, 2021

Soon after the backlash, Asher Mashwani, Focal person to CM Punjab, addressed the matter and wrote, "Forwarded to concerned authorities for legal action."

Forwarded to concerned authorities for legal action.@OfficialDPRPP @hasaankhawar

— Azhar Mashwani (@MashwaniAzhar) November 29, 2021

The clothing brand has now issued a clarification on the matter. The Instagram page has since taken down the controversial posts and released a statement.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by MANNAT (@mannat_clothing)

"The pictures posted on our accounts are NOT part of any shoot done by Mannat Clothing. These pictures were provided to us by a third-party (blogger) in which they were wearing our dress. Please note that Mannat has absolutely NO role in deciding how and where the pictures were taken," the statement read. "However, we accept our mistake that we should not have posted this content and we apologise to every single person who was offended by this. All the holy places are very sacred to us."

The statement concluded, "The pictures and posts have been removed from all our media channels. Again, we apologise wholeheartedly for hurting the public sentiment. Believe us when we say we had no such intention."

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