AMRITSAR: The act of showering rose petals from a helicopter over the Golden Temple in Amritsar has triggered controversy and concerns, with some Sikh groups perceiving it as a violation of maryada (Sikh code of religious conduct) and a compromise to the temples security.Advocate Neena Singh, a member of Sikh Legal Aid (SLA), raised concerns about maintaining religious sanctity and the safety protocols of the Golden Temple.She emphasized that, given the sensitivity of the holy place, flights should not be allowed near or over the Golden Temple.Neena also criticized the lack of religious decorum during the petal shower, pointing out that those involved did not cover their heads, indicating disrespect. She stated that it appeared as if they were on a joyride, which was highly objectionable.The petal shower was organized by one Kuljit Singh, a Sikh devotee from Chamba in Himachal Pradesh, during the nagar kirtan (religious procession) on the birth anniversary of Sikhs fourth guru, Guru Ram Das.Social media users, including those on X (formerly Twitter), expressed their discontent with the flower-showering act. Some criticized the lack of head coverings and emphasized the need for reverence in such a sacred place.Neena has written letters to both the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the jathedar of Akal Takht, urging them not to allow aerial vehicles over the Golden Temple to ensure its security.Kuljit Singh, who organized the petal shower, explained that the head cover was blown off due to a sudden gust of wind when the helicopter door was opened. He stated that they had obtained permission from both the SGPC and the district administration for the activity and would not have proceeded if there were any bans in place.However, some Sikh bodies do not see any violation of maryada or security concerns in this act.Balwinder Singh of the Hawara Committee mentioned that helicopters have flown over the Golden Temple in the past, and he did not perceive any violation of maryada during high-altitude flights over the temple.

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