India summons Pak Charge d'Affaires over model's photoshoot at Kartarpur gurdwara

Calling it a 'reprehensible' incident, India said it expects Pakistani authorities to 'sincerely investigate' the matter

India on Tuesday conveyed to Pakistan its “deep concern” over the “desecration” of Gurdwara Shri Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur in the neighbouring country after a photoshoot of a model in front of the shrine triggered an uproar among the Sikh community.

Aftab Hasan Khan, the Charge d’Affaires of the High Commission of Pakistan in New Delhi, was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), where the senior officials conveyed to him that the “reprehensible incident” had deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikhs in India and around the world.

The MEA officials also told Khan that New Delhi would expect the Government of Pakistan to sincerely investigate the matter and take action against the people involved in the desecration of the shrine.

Also Read — Pakistan cops launch probe against model, clothing brand over photoshoot in Gurdwara

New Delhi also conveyed to Islamabad that such continued incidents of desecration and disrespect of places of religious worship of the minority communities in Pakistan highlighted the lack of respect for their faith, Arindam Bagchi, the MEA spokesperson, said.

A clothing brand of Pakistan, Mannat Clothing, had posted pictures of Sauleha, a model, on Instagram. The pictures had been shot at the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur in Pakistan.

Some Sikh leaders in India pointed out that the pictures of a "bareheaded" model in front of the shrine hurt the religious sentiment of the community. Sauleha also apologised for the pictures on social media.

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