Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, who has been summoned by a Special Investigation Team probing police firing on protesters in Punjab against religious sacrilege, on Monday denied meeting Dera Sacha Sauda sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

In a statement put out on social media, Akshay denied “rumours and false statements” about his involvement with Ram Rahim Singh following reports that he arranged a meeting between the godman and then Punjab’s Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.

“I have never ever met Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in my life, anywhere. I learnt from social media at some point that Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh resided for a while at some place in my locality Juhu in Mumbai but we never ever crossed each other’s paths,” Akshay said in a statement.

Ram Rahim Singh’s movie “MSG” ran into opposition from the Sikh community.

“Over the years, I have dedicatedly made films promoting the Punjabi culture and the rich history and tradition of Sikhism through films like ‘Singh is Kinng’ and ‘Kesari’. I’m 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,” Akshay added.