Akshay Kumar clarifies after being summoned in Punjab sacrilege case, denies meeting Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh

Akshay Kumar has cleared the air through a Twitter post after he was summoned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the 2015 firing incidents at Behbal Kalan over sacrilege incidents. The actor was asked to appear on November 21 to the Circuit House in Amritsar after his name was mentioned in the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission report on the sacrilege incidents. The report had claimed that the 'Rustom' star hosted a meeting at his house along with former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Dera Sacha Sauda sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in connection with his film ‘Messenger of God (MSG).' 

READ: Badals To Get Full Protection Over Threat Perception: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh

Akshay in the tweet, denied he ever met Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and also said he has always promoted Punjabi culture and the rich tradition of Sikhism through his films. Adding that he has utmost respect and love for his Punjabi brothers and sisters, the actor added that he’d never do anything to hurt their sentiments.

Akshay's full statement:

"It has come to my knowledge that some rumours and false statements are being loosely made on social media about my involvement with a person named Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the context of a fictitious meeting involving Sh. Sukhbir Singh Badal. With all humility, I would like to state the following facts:  

1. I have never ever met Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in my life, anywhere. 

2. I learnt from social media at some point that Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh resided for while at some place in my locality Juhu in Mumbai, but we never ever crossed each other’s paths.  

3. Over the years, I have dedicatedly made films promoting the Punjabi culture, and the rich history and tradition of Sikhism through films like Sing is King, Kesari (based on Battle of Saragarhi’etc. I am proud of being a Punjabi and have the highest regard for the Sikh faith. I shall never do anything that would even remotely hurt the sentiments of my Punjabi brothers and sisters, for whom I have utmost respect and love. 

My statement above is the utmost and absolute truth. I challenge anyone who can prove it otherwise. 

Regards, 

Akshay Kumar" (sic)

READ: CONFIRMED: Akshay Kumar's 'Mission Mangal' To Star Vidya Balan, Taapsee Pannu, Sharman Joshi And Others, Details Inside