Fashion designer gets security after threats for yoga at Golden Temple
Vadodara, Jun 24: A Vadodara-based fashion designer has been provided police protection in the wake of death threats received by her after she performed yoga at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, an official said Monday.
Fashion designer and social media influencer Archana Makwana performed 'Shirshasan' at the temple on June 21 to mark the International Yoga Day and posted pictures of it on social media which went viral, drawing criticism, abuses and death threats.
She had apologised for her actions and said she never intended to hurt anyone's religious sentiments.
The Punjab police on Sunday registered a case against Makwana under Indian Penal Code section 295-A (deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class) after a complaint filed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
A Vadodara police official on Monday said, "Makwana has been provided police protection at the local level for a period of one week starting Sunday which may be extended if required."
After receiving criticism for her photos posted on social media, Makwana removed them and also issued an apology in a video, saying she performed yoga at the holy place to spread the message of unity and fitness.
"I performed Shirshasan to offer thanks on the Yoga Day and not to hurt anybody's sentiments. I did not intend any such thing. I feel bad that you felt bad. I did not intend to hurt religious sentiments. I apologise...I have been perceived wrongly. I have received death threats and abuses," she said.
She also thanked the Vadodara police for the security provided by them.
"I am overwhelmed with gratitude for Gujarat police and Vadodara police for taking such a quick, prompt action ...Thank you Government of Gujarat for giving me police protection," she said.
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Man arrested with Rs 2.54-crore heroin in Mumbai
Mumbai (PTI): Police have arrested a man and seized over 500 grams of heroin worth Rs 2.54 crore in the illicit market from him in Mumbai, officials said on Friday.
The police's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) made the drug seizure in Santacruz in the western suburbs. The operation was conducted by the Kandivali unit of the ANC on Thursday as part of a special crackdown against drug trafficking in the area, they said.
Acting on specific inputs, an ANC team conducted a raid in Santacruz (East) and intercepted a man. During a search, the team recovered 508 grams of high-grade heroin from his possession, an official said.
The seized contraband, a highly addictive, opioid drug derived from morphine, is estimated to be worth Rs 2.54 crore in the international market, he informed.
Following the seizure, a case was registered against the man under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and he was formally placed under arrest in the early hours of Friday.
The police are currently investigating the source of the drug and trying to identify the intended recipients of the consignment, he said.
