Off-beat comments land Sidhu in trouble
13 August 2001
Cricketer-turned-commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu has been charged with
"hurting" the religious sentiments of a particular section of Sikhs
with his utterances during the live telecast of the India-Zimbabwe
match on June 23.
Ludhiana-based Harpal Singh Kohli, in his complaint filed with a
Ludhiana court on Saturday, has alleged that during the commentary on
a private TV channel the former batsman had made "defamatory" remarks
on 'Khatri Sikhs'.
According to the counsel for the complainant, Sidhu, while interacting
with fellow commentator Harsha Bhogle, is alleged to have said, "only
Bhapas wear multi-coloured turbans". Sidhu made these remarks when
asked why he did not wear multi-coloured turbans.
The term `Bhapas' refers to Khatris or lower caste Sikhs in a
derogatory sense, the counsel said.
Taking cognizance of the complaint, the magistrate fixed September 29
to examine witnesses including Bhogle and Sunil Gavaskar who was also
reportedly present as Sidhu made the comments, the counsel said.
© PTI