The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) condemn designer Tarun Tahiliani for allegedly using the visuals of Panj Payare (five holy men) and Sikh holy sign Nishan Sahab on the skirts he had designed. According to DSGMC, the designer has hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikhs and has been served the legal notice and was asked to withdraw these skirts within 15 days from across his stores.

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DSGMC chief administrator Ajmer Singh said the skirts are being sold in the Emporio shopping mall, Vasant Kunj ,for Rs.9,900.The skirts feature pictures of Sikh holy symbol and visuals of five holy men (Panj Pyare), which hurts the religious sentiments, as  Sikh religion does not permit painting and printing of the pictures of their gurus, the five holy men and the religious symbol on apparels such as skirts or shirts.

However, designer agreed to the demands of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) and later issued a statement saying, “As a Design House, we draw inspiration from many fronts. In fact, this collection is in collaboration with the Singh twins who are Sikhs themselves. Hence it did not even cross our minds to check on the sensitivities of placement of such a print.

As a gesture of goodwill and because our company policy is to spread harmony and not offend anyone we have instructed our stores to withdraw the particular skirts immediately from display and return them to the warehouse.”