Amritsar (Punjab): Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was declared a 'tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct) in August by Akal for "some decisions" during his tenure as Punjab Deputy Chief Minister from 2007 to 2017, has been awarded religious punishment by the Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht and directed to wash utensils, clean shoes and bathrooms.
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Badal as party chief and said that "Fakhar-e-Quam' title bestowed on former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal "is withdrawn".
Pronouncing the 'tankhah' (religious punishment), the Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht, said Sukhbir Singh Badal will clean bathrooms from 12 to 1 pm on December 3. He has been told to serve the bathrooms of Sri Darbar Sahib from 12 to 1 pm tomorrow and then wash utensils for an hour and listen to Gurbani. He has been asked to wear a plaque around his neck.
Sukhbir Badal has admitted the charges against him. The Sikh clergy also pronounced religious punishment for some others who are or were associated with SAD. They included Sukbir Singh Badal, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Sucha Singh Langah, Hira Singh Gabaria and Balwinder Singh Bhundar.
Sukhbir Badal, who arrived at the Golden Temple in a wheelchair because of a fractured leg, was asked to carry a "jhola on the deori" and hold a barsha.
He has been told to sit outside the Golden Temple for an hour each for two days wearing the dress of 'sewadar'. He also has to serve one hour in langar in gurudwaras.
The Sikh clergy said that the Akali leadership has lost its moral foundation and president and office bearers should be elected within six months. Sukbir Badal had resigned as Shiromani Akali Dal president in November this year.
The clergy also said that the rebel faction should try to strengthen the Akali Dal.
Giani Raghbir Singh said Fakhar-e-Qaum received from Shri Akal Takht Sahib should "is withdrawn" from Parkash Singh Badal. The former Chief Minister passed away in April 2023.
Former MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha was cautioned that if he speaks against the clergy, strict action will be taken.
The Akal Takht had in August declared Sukbir Singh Badal 'tankhaiya'- guilty of religious misconduct, for "some decisions" during his tenure as deputy chief minister from 2007 to 2017.
The move to declare Badal 'tankahiya' was made by five high priests of the Shri Akal Takht. Reading the order, Giani Raghbir Singh had said that Sukhbir Badal, along with his partner Sikh Cabinet Ministers need to submit their written explanations within 15 days.
"A meeting of the Panj Singh Sahibs (five high priests of the Shri Akal Takht) was held at the Shri Akal Takht Sahibji in which it was unanimously decided that Sukhbir Singh Badal, as the Deputy Chief Minister of the Punjab Government and President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, took some decisions which have harmed the image of 'Panthak Swaroop'. The situation of Shiromani Akali Dal has deteriorated and Sikh interests have suffered a lot. Therefore, his partner Sikh Cabinet Ministers, who were present in the government from 2007 to 2017, need to submit their written explanations in this regard within 15 days before the Shri Akal Takht," he had said.
