Lagatar24 Desk
Amritsar: The Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht on Monday imposed a ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment) on Sukhbir Singh Badal for “mistakes” committed during the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) government’s rule in Punjab from 2007 to 2017.
The Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Raghbir Singh, announced that Sukhbir Badal must serve as a ‘sewadar’ (service volunteer), cleaning utensils and shoes at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Additionally, he instructed the SAD’s working committee to accept Badal’s resignation as party president and form a committee to conduct elections for new office-bearers within six months.
In a significant move, the Akal Takht also withdrew the title of Fakhre-e-Qaum (Pride of the Community) from former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir Badal’s father.
Details of Punishment
The five Singh Sahibans issued punishments for several Akali leaders who served in the Cabinet during the SAD regime. Sukhbir Badal, currently in a wheelchair due to a fractured leg, and rebel leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa have been instructed to sit outside the Golden Temple dressed as ‘sewadar’ for one hour each for two days. Both leaders are required to perform ‘sewa’ (service) at key Sikh sites, including:
•Takht Kesgarh Sahib
•Takht Damdama Sahib
•Darbar Sahib at Muktsar
•Fatehgarh Sahib
Both must clean utensils and shoes at the Golden Temple for one hour each and participate in kirtan (religious hymns).
Other Akali leaders, including Sucha Singh Langah, Hira Singh Gabria, Balwinder Singh Bhundar, and Daljit Singh Cheema, have been directed to clean washrooms and utensils at the Golden Temple and attend kirtan.
Admission of Mistakes
Sukhbir Badal admitted to errors made during the SAD regime, notably the pardon granted to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 2007 blasphemy case. He also acknowledged shortcomings in addressing the 2015 sacrilege incidents.
Background and Response
This development follows the Akal Takht’s July declaration of Sukhbir Badal as tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct) after rebel leaders sought forgiveness for the regime’s mistakes.
Sukhbir Badal arrived at the Akal Takht on a wheelchair to comply with the summons. Meanwhile, the Akal Takht had previously summoned the entire Akali Cabinet from 2007 to 2017 and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)’s core members to address these issues.
