They are also asked to perform the ‘sewa’ of cleaning utensils and shoes as atonement
AMRITSAR: Five high priests headed by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on Monday pronounced religious punishment, also known as “tankhah” for Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was earlier declared guilty of religious misconduct. The former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister has been ordered to clean utensils and shoes in the Golden Temple.
Akali Dal leaders Sukhbir Badal, Sukhdev Dhindsa, Gulzar Singh Ranike and Janmeja Sekhon have been ordered to wear a ‘sewadar’ uniform and perform the ‘sewa’ of cleaning utensils and shoes as atonement.
Earlier in the day, Sukhbir Badal reached Akal Takht Sahib in a wheelchair.
Besides Sukhbir Badal, Giani Raghbir Singh had summoned other members of his party, besides key figures from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to provide explanations regarding allegations of religious violations.
SAD rebels and several Sikh organisations had been asking Sukhbir Badal to step down from the post of President in view of the sacrilege incidents that comprised hurting religious sentiments of the Sikh community by self-styled godman and Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh who allegedly performed an imitation of Guru Gobind Singh at the sect's dera in 2007, and desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib in 2015.
The rebels, including former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, ex- SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, and former minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, on July 1 conveyed to Giani Raghbir Singh that they were “ready to face any punishment that the Akal Takht may deem appropriate.”
In a letter to the Akal Takht Jathedar, they “admitted guilt” over the “mistakes committed” by the party leadership that had “hurt” the Sikh Panth.
The letter also claimed that Sukhbir Badal allegedly used his influence to pardon the Dera Sacha Sauda chief in the blasphemy case.
To recall, the Akal Takht had pardoned the Dera Sacha Sauda chief in the blasphemy case after a written apology in 2015.
After the rebels sought an apology from Sukhbir Badal, the Akal Takht secretariat on August 5 released a letter written by the SAD chief to the Jathedar, seeking “unconditional forgiveness.”
“I take responsibility for all mistakes, whether made by the party or during the regime of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), ” the letter read.
Sukhbir Badal also said he was ready to face whatever punishment was given to him by the Akal Takht Sahib.
Sukhbir Badal, while expressing regret at the 103rd foundation day of the party on December 15, 2023, had blamed SAD for its failure to apprehend the individuals responsible for the sacrilege incidents.