Chandigarh/Amritsar, Dec 2: The Sikh clergy at Akal Takht imposed a ‘tankhah’ (religious penalty) on Sukhbir Singh Badal and other leaders for their “mistakes” made during the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) government in Punjab from 2007 to 2017. The senior Akali leader was ordered on Monday to serve as ‘sewadar’ (volunteer) by washing dishes and cleaning shoes at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
During the announcement made from the ‘faseel’ (podium) of Akal Takht in Amritsar, the Jathedar, Giani Raghbir Singh, also declared that the title of ‘Fakhre-e-Qaum’ awarded to the late former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir’s father, would be rescinded.
Parkash Singh Badal, a five-time chief minister of Punjab, passed away in April last year.
The Jathedar further instructed the SAD working committee to accept Sukhbir Badal’s resignation as party chief and to establish a committee to organize elections for the SAD presidency and other positions within the next six months.
In addition to Sukhbir, the five ‘Singh Sahibans’ (Sikh clergy) pronounced similar punishments for other Sikh leaders who served in the Akali Cabinet and were part of the party’s core committee during the 2007 to 2017 period.
Giani Raghbir Singh noted that both Sukhbir Badal and rebel leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa were required to stay outside the Golden Temple dressed as ‘sewadars’ while holding a spear for one hour each over two consecutive days.
They will also wear small placards around their necks admitting their “wrongdoings” and will serve at Takht Kesgarh Sahib, Takht Damdama Sahib, Darbar Sahib at Muktsar, and Fatehgarh Sahib for two days each.
Additionally, both leaders must clean utensils and shoes for one hour at the Golden Temple while listening to ‘kirtan’. Sukhbir Badal appeared in a wheelchair due to a leg fracture, while Sukhdev Dhindsa faced mobility challenges related to age.
Prior to the edict’s announcement, Sukhbir Badal confessed to various mistakes, including the controversial pardon of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 2007 blasphemy case during the SAD administration.
This punishment follows nearly three months after Sukhbir Badal was declared ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Akal Takht.
The Jathedar directed additional Akali leaders—Sucha Singh Langah, Hira Singh Gabria, Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Daljit Singh Cheema, and Gulzar Singh Ranike—to clean the restrooms at the Golden Temple from 12 noon to 1 pm on December 3, followed by washing utensils in the community kitchen after bathing. They are also expected to listen to a kirtan for an hour, as per the Jathedar’s orders.
Other Akali leaders, including Bibi Jagir Kaur, Prem Singh Chandumajra, Surjit Singh Rakhra, Bikram Singh Majithia, Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Charanjit Singh Atwal, and Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, have also been instructed to perform similar tasks at the Golden Temple and local gurdwaras.
Additionally, in response to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) spending Rs 90 lakh on advertisements to promote the decision to absolve the Dera chief, the Jathedar mandated the recovery of that amount with interest from Sukhbir Badal, Sukhdev Dhindsa, Sucha Singh Langah, Hira Singh Gabria, Daljit Singh Cheema, Gulzar Singh Ranike, and Balwinder Singh Bhundar.
The Jathedar emphasized that the leadership of SAD has lost its moral authority to guide the politics of the ‘Sikh Panth’ due to past failures and called for a membership drive and elections for party office-bearers within six months.
A committee was formed for this purpose, comprising SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami and several Akali leaders including Iqbal Singh Jhunda, Gurpartap Singh Wadala, MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali, Santa Singh, and Bibi Satwant Kaur (representing Akal Takht).
Furthermore, the Jathedar asked the SAD working committee to promptly accept any resignations submitted within three days.
Although Sukhbir Badal had resigned as SAD president last month, his resignation was not accepted by the party’s working committee.
The Jathedar also tasked the rebel leaders involved in the ‘SAD Sudhar Lehar’ initiative to collaborate toward strengthening the party.
Giani Raghbir Singh noted Sukhbir Badal’s acknowledgment of his involvement in achieving the pardon for Ram Rahim regarding the 2007 blasphemy case, admitting to previous mistakes made during the Akali government’s rule.
He confirmed the withdrawal of the ‘Fakhre-e-Qaum’ title given to Parkash Singh Badal in 2011 for his political contributions.
Giani Raghbir Singh expressed dissatisfaction with ex-Jathedar Gurbachan Singh’s responses and ordered the revocation of all privileges granted to him, citing his role in granting pardon to the Dera chief.
During the meeting, Sukhbir Badal was asked several direct questions regarding past actions, including the decision to pardon Ram Rahim; he admitted to many transgressions during the SAD rule.
He affirmed his acknowledgment of the failings related to the 2015 sacrilege incidents and the police violence at Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura, as well as the misuse of SGPC funds for promotional advertisements.
However, SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema refuted the claim that he added the term ‘khima yachna’ (apology) to the Dera chief’s letter.
Giani Harpreet Singh, from Takht Damdama Sahib, confronted Prem Singh Chandumajra about supporting the pardon, a claim he denied. Giani Harpreet then referred to a newspaper quote from Chandumajra supporting the decision, urging him not to deceive.
Chandumajra maintained that he did not issue such a statement, attributing it to the party office.
“The question of my support for the pardon does not arise,” he stated.
The Akal Takht originally pardoned the Dera chief in 2015 based on a written apology but later revoked that decision under community pressure.
The Akal Takht also declared Akali leader and former president of the Delhi Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Harvinder Singh Sarna, as ‘tankhaiya’ for derogatory remarks against Sikh intellectuals.
The Akal Takht summoned the entire Akali Cabinet from 2007 to 2017, along with the party’s core committee and the SGPC’s 2015 internal committee.
Sukhbir Badal, arriving in a wheelchair due to a minor leg injury, remained seated with folded hands throughout the proceedings. He was classified as ‘tankhaiya’ after rebel party leaders, including Chandumajra and Kaur, sought forgiveness for four specific “mistakes” made during their governance, notably failing to hold accountable those responsible for the 2015 sacrilege incidents and the pardon of Ram Rahim in 2007. (PTI)
