Amritsar: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal washed utensils at the Golden Temple and tendered an apology for showing disrespect to Sikhs, 'Golden Temple' and their holy book Sri Guru Granth Sahib by his party.
Amidst heavy security, Kejriwal arrived at the Temple early in the morning with his senior party leaders to tender the apology and perform sewa (voluntary service). Kejriwal first went to Langar (community kitchen) of the temple and washed utensils for about half an hour following which he took Parikarma (circum ambulations) and sat there with his colleagues for about half an hour before going to sanctum sanctorum of the holy shrine for paying obeisance.
The move by Kejriwal was to seek forgiveness for AAP's political gaffe after the party's 'Youth manifesto' carried a picture of the Golden Temple, along with AAP election symbol of 'broom'.
Like an ordinary man, Kejriwal stood in queue to pay obeisance at sanctum sanctorum and listened to kirtan but remained centre of attraction for all those present at the temple. After paying obeisance, he said "We had committed a few mistakes inadvertently while releasing party's youth manifesto and to seek apology for the same we have performed sewa and paid obeisance at the Golden Temple and now we feel very blessed and peaceful." Soon after Kejriwal left for Delhi.
The controversy erupted after a section of Sikh religious leaders and political bodies seriously objected at AAP's leader Ashish Khetan comparing party's youth manifesto with holy scriptures, including Sri Guru Granth Sahib, and printing of party's election symbol - broom- along with photograph of Golden Temple during release of youth manifesto on July 3rd at Amritsar.
Party's Amritsar in-charge Gurinder Bajwa said, "We have tendered an apology to Almighty for our mistakes which were committed unintentionally and I think there should not be any more politics on the issue."
