AMRITSAR, Dec 3: Following the Sikh clergy’s announcement of the ‘tankhah’ (religious penalty) for Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Shiromani Akali Dal leader served as a ‘sewadar’ (volunteer) outside the Golden Temple on Tuesday.
Badal, in blue ‘sewadar’ attire and seated in a wheelchair due to a leg injury, stood at the entrance of the Golden Temple, carrying a spear to fulfill his punishment.
Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, also in a wheelchair due to age, received the same punishment, while former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia was seen washing utensils.
Signs hung around Badal’s and Dhindsa’s necks noted their “misdeeds.” Both leaders committed to their roles as ‘sewadar’ for an hour.
The Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht had directed Badal and other leaders to undergo ‘tankhah’ for the “errors” made by the Shiromani Akali Dal government in Punjab from 2007 to 2017. This included serving as ‘sewadars’, washing dishes, and cleaning shoes at the Golden Temple.
Prior to the edict, Sukhbir Badal acknowledged his mistakes, which included pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 2007 blasphemy case during the Akali Dal’s governance.
This punishment followed a declaration made three months ago labeling Sukhbir Badal as ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Akal Takht.
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh also instructed Akali leaders Sucha Singh Langah, Hira Singh Gabria, Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Daljit Singh Cheema, and Gulzar Singh Ranike to clean restrooms at the Golden Temple from 12 PM to 1 PM on December 3, before washing utensils at the community kitchen after bathing.
They were also required to participate in one hour of ‘kirtan’ (devotional singing), as per the Jathedar’s directive.
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, received similar instructions to clean washrooms for an hour and assist with washing utensils at nearby gurdwaras. (Agencies)
