Off-beat comments land Sidhu in trouble

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.