Akal Takht Declares Sukhbir Singh Badal ‘Tankhaiya’ for Religious Misconduct

GG News Bureau
Amritsar, 31st August. The Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, has declared Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal ‘tankhaiya’—guilty of religious misconduct—on Friday. This decision comes in response to alleged mistakes committed by Badal and his party during their tenure from 2007 to 2017.

Following the declaration, Badal expressed his acceptance of the Akal Takht’s ruling. In a post on X in Punjabi, he announced his intention to appear before the Akal Takht to offer an apology. Jathedar Gyani Raghbir Singh has instructed Badal to seek forgiveness within 15 days for decisions made as deputy chief minister and SAD chief that allegedly harmed the Sikh community and its interests.

“The term ‘tankhaiya’ will remain in effect until Mr. Badal offers his apology for his ‘sins’,” Singh declared during a session at the Akal Takht complex.

Additionally, Sikh community members who served as ministers in the Akali government from 2007 to 2017 have been directed to submit written explanations to the Akal Takht within the same timeframe. However, the specific “mistakes” leading to Badal’s designation were not detailed by the Jathedar.

Notably, incidents such as the 2015 theft of a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, sacrilegious posters, and torn pages of the holy book scattered in Faridkot occurred during the SAD’s rule. These incidents were among the issues reportedly cited in the Akal Takht’s decision.

Badal’s recent appointment of senior leader Balwinder Singh Bhundar as the party’s working president and his request for “unconditional forgiveness” for past mistakes reflect his ongoing efforts to address the controversies. Rebel SAD leaders, including former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra and ex-SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, had previously appeared before the Jathedar to seek forgiveness for similar issues.

Earlier this month, a letter from Badal to the Akal Takht Jathedar, addressing accusations and offering an explanation, was made public. Badal’s letter also included a copy of an October 2015 correspondence from his father, former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, regarding incidents from 2007 to 2015.

The controversy also encompasses the 2007 blasphemy case against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, where allegations were made that Badal used his influence to secure a pardon for the Dera chief. In 2015, the Akal Takht initially pardoned Singh but later rescinded the decision under community pressure.

The Akal Takht’s ruling underscores ongoing tensions within the Shiromani Akali Dal and among the Sikh community regarding past governance issues and religious sensitivities.