Police complaint lodged against Harbhajan Singh for serving 113 types of tobacco at wedding ceremony

Harbhajan Singh with wife Geeta Basra at the wedding ceremony

Harbhajan Singh’s wedding to Bollywood actress Geeta Basra was a celebrated event this week, but the ceremony has again found itself embroiled in controversy. Sikh organisations have lodged a complaint against the India cricketer, saying that he served 113 different varieties of tobacco at the event.

The religion of Sikhism prohibits the consumption of tobacco, let alone serving it at a sacred ceremony. However, it is known that the guests at Harbhajan’s wedding partook in tobacco and hookah.

The Sikh organisations have demanded action against the cricketer. They have also said that they will lodge a complaint against Harbhajan at the Akal Takht — the highest seat of power of the Sikh religion.

This controversy closely follows another, in what has been a troubled couple of days immediately after the happy ceremony for the cricketer. Four bouncers, who were accused of manhandling media persons at the event, and breaking their camera, are now in police custody.

The development is a throwback to the days when Harbhajan got into trouble with the Akal Takht – and other Sikh religious groups – when he sported his long hair for an alcohol brand’s advertisements, thus hurting religious sentiments.

A tweet that Harbhajan had sent out on a previous occasion:

Complaint filed against @harbhajan_singh for serving tobacco in his marriage

— IndiaTodayFLASH (@IndiaTodayFLASH) October 31, 2015

Pocket Health Not Cigarettes! Say no to Tobacco on this "World No Tobacco Day" Family nd Friends- Live healthy stay fit! Bless

— Harbhajan Singh (@harbhajan_singh) May 31, 2015