Former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal was spotted sitting in a wheelchair on Monday morning with a plaque around his neck and a spear in his hand at Amritsar’s Golden Temple. It was the first day of his penance after being declared ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) in August by the highest temporal authority in Sikhism – Akal Takht. Badal remained the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab from 2007 to 2017.
Why Akal Takht Has Punished SAD Leader?
Sukhbir Singh Badal has been asked to take up ‘sewadar’ work at the Golden Temple which includes washing utensils, cleaning shoes and bathrooms. He took some decisions which have harmed the image of ‘Panthak Swaroop’ when he was the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab from 2007 to 2017.
Punjab: Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal sits by the gate at Golden Temple in Amritsar with a plaque around his neck and spear in his hand as one of the religious punishments pronounced for him by Sri Akal Takht Sahib yesterday. https://t.co/NNC4BR0sWt pic.twitter.com/9A1VhO3Bte
— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024
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Pronouncing the ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment), the Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht said, Sukhbir Singh Badal will clean the washrooms from 12 noon to 1 pm today. A meeting of the Panj Singh Sahibs (five high priests of the Shri Akal Takht) was held at the Shri Akal Takht Sahibji.
Akal Takht Declares Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa A ‘Tankhaiya’
The Akal Takht also issued punishment for Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa on Tuesday who arrived at the Golden Temple in Amritsar to perform penance. He was declared a ‘tankhaiya’ for various misconduct and asked to serve the role of a ‘Sewadar’ – washing utensils and cleaning shoes at the Golden Temple.
Akal Takht Priests Asks WC To Accept Badal’s Resignation
The five high priests, headed by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, also asked the working committee of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to accept the resignation of Sukhbir Badal as party chief and withdrew the “Fakhar-e-Quam’ (pride of comunity) title bestowed on Sukhbir Sing Badal’s father the former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
Reading the order, Giani Raghbir Singh had said that Sukhbir Badal, along with Cabinet Ministers need to submit their written explanations within 15 days. Badal has admitted the charges against him.
Apart from Sukhbir Singh Badal and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, the Sikh clergy also pronounced religious punishment for others who are or were associated with SAD. They include Sucha Singh Langah, Hira Singh Gabaria and Balwinder Singh Bhundar.
