Actor Akshay Kumar Kumar has issued a statement through this Twitter handle denying any role in connection to the 2015 sacrilege case in Punjab or even knowing self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
“It has come to my knowledge that some rumours and false statements are being loosely made on social media about my involvement with a person named Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. In the context of a fictitious meeting involving Shree Sukhbir Singh Badal. With all humility, I would like to state the following facts. I have never met Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in my life anywhere,” said Akshay.
Earlier today, the Punjab government had informed that former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son Sukhbir and actor Akshay were among those summoned by the Special Investigation Team in connection with the 2015 sacrilege case.
The Justice Ranjit Singh (retd) Commission, which was constituted by the ruling Congress government to probe incidents of desecration and police firing, had recorded a statement of a person who claimed that Akshay mediated in getting Akal Takht’s ‘pardon’ for Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who was accused of blasphemy by appearing before a congregation while dressed as Guru Gobind Singh Sahib in 2007.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim and his men were initially suspected of inciting violence, but the police had ruled out their role.
Last year, Akshay’s wife Twinkle Khanna had posted a humourous, cheeky tweet about the controversial godman moving into to their locality.
While Akshay acknowledged that, the 2.0 (2018) actor clarified that Gurmeet and he never crossed paths.
“I learnt from social media at some point that Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh resided for a while at some place in my locality in Juhu, Mumbai but we never crossed each other’s paths,” said the 2.0 actor.
In his third point, Akshay underlined how he would never do anything to hurt Sikh sentiments.
“Over the years, I have dedicatedly made films promoting the Punjabi culture, and the rich history, and tradition, of Sikhism through films like Singh is King (2008), Kesari (based on the Battle of Saragarhi) etc. I’m proud of being a Punjabi and have the highest regard for the Sikh faith. I shall never do anything that would even remotely hurt the sentiments of my Punjabi brothers and sisters, for whom I have utmost respect and love,” added Akshay.
The actor said he was willing to challenge anyone who could prove otherwise.
The sacrilege case and the subsequent violence caused unrest in the state, with few people being killed and hundreds injured in the clashes. Gurmeet Ram Rahim is currently serving his 20-year jail sentence for a raping a sadhvi in his ashram in 2002.
Akshay has been summoned by the SIT and asked to give his statement on 21 November. The actor is gearing up for the release of 2.0 that hits the screens on 29 November.