Ajmer shrine puts an end to Reshammiya controversy

Bollywood singer-composer Himesh Reshammiya can rest easy now. One of the Khadims or caretakers of the revered Sufi shrine of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti here has owned up responsibility for the actor camouflaging himself in a burqa (woman's veil) during his visit that triggered angry reactions from the shrine authorities.

Ahmed Raza, a shrine official, told IANS: "The Khadim who brought Himesh Reshammiya here informed us in writing that the incident was his fault and Himesh is not responsible for anything."

"We had asked the Khadim to tell us how the news of Reshammiya visiting the dargah leaked and why was he brought in disguise, which hurt the religious feelings of some," he said.

According to him, the Khadim while accepting his mistake also assured that this kind of incident would not be repeated. "We have thus decided to close the matter," Raza said.

The controversy over the singer-actor surfaced when cameramen caught him in a burqa, with the face veil lifted, during a visit to the shrine on Tuesday night. The singer was on a visit to the dargah to seek blessings ahead of the release of his debut film "Aap Ka Surroor" Friday.

While some members of Anjuman, the organisation of Khadims, had termed it as disrespect to the shrine, the dargah committee was planning to seek legal advice on the matter.

"The burqa is a dress for women and it is no way for a man to visit the dargah in such a manner," an official of the Anjuman had said. The singer had also apologised to the shrine authorities through a private television channel.
Indo-Asian News Service