Directors of Yaariyan 2, Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru, reacted to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee's allegation of hurting religious sentiments
Yaariyan 2. Pic/Instagram, YouTube
The song titled, Saure Ghar from Divya Khosla Kumar, Meezaan, and Pearl V Puri's upcoming film, Yaariyan 2 courted controversy upon release. The Sikh religious community Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) accused the makers of using the Sikh Kakkar Kirpan in an objectionable way in the song. The members of SGPC claimed that some of the visuals in which Meezaan wore it have hurt religious sentiments.
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On X, formerly known as Twitter, SGPC raised the issue. The members wrote, "We raise our strong objection to these visuals filmed, published in 'Saure Ghar' song of 'Yaariyan 2' film directed by Radhika Rao & Vinay Sapru, as actor is seen wearing Sikh Kakaar (symbol of Sikh faith) Kirpan in a highly objectionable manner which cannot be accepted. This has seriously hurt the religious sentiments of Sikh community across the globe. Only an initiated Sikh has the right to wear Kirpan as per Sikh Code of Conduct of Akal Takht Sahib and the right given by the Constitution of India. This video song is public at the official @YouTube channel of @TSeries, which must take it down with immediate effect. If any other platform is used to publish this video song with the said objectionable scenes must also take it down. We are immediately raising this objection through all channels to the Government and digital platforms.
The Sikh body also tagged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on X and requested the government to "ensure that this objectionable video or any of such unacceptable scenes of the said film are not cleared for release by the Censor Board of Film Certification." Furthermore, SGPC added, "If the videos are not taken down from public view, we shall initiate the legal proceedings are per law for hurting religious sentiments of minority Sikh community."
We raise our strong objection to these visuals filmed, published in 'Saure Ghar' song of 'Yaariyan 2' film directed by Radhika Rao & Vinay Sapru @SapruAndRao, as actor is seen wearing Sikh Kakaar (symbol of Sikh faith) Kirpan in a highly objectionable manner which cannot be… pic.twitter.com/FZXooNMsoH
— Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (@SGPCAmritsar) August 28, 2023
Reacting to the matter, director duo Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru issued a statement, and clarified that Meezaan was wearing a khukri and not Kirpan. In a statement on X, the duo stated, "We would like to address the concerns regarding the visuals in the song- Saure Ghar, from out recent film Yaariyan 2. We would like to clarify that the actor in the song is wearing a Khukri and not a Kirpan. In fact, the dialogues in the film make it explicitly clear it is a Khukri. We regret any misunderstanding that may have arisen due to the similarity in appearance. Our intention has never been to offend or disrespect any religious beliefs."
The statement further read, "We want to emphasise our deep respect for religious sentiments. We understand the significance of all religions and are committed to ensuring that our work does not inadvertently cause any offense. Please be rest assured that we hold the highest regard for all faiths. We appreciate your understanding and will continue to strike for sensitivity and respect in our future projects."
— Radhika & Vinay (@SapruAndRao) August 28, 2023
Yaariyan 2 also stars Warina Hussain and Priya Prakash Varrier. It will release on October 20.