Akal Takht issues 'tankhah' for Sukhbir Badal, strips Parkash Singh Badal of 'Fakhre-e-Qaum' title
The Five High Priests headed by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on Monday awarded 'tankhah' (religious punishment) to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Badal, former Akali ministers and the party’s core committee members holding them guilty of religious misconduct for taking controversial decisions during SAD's tenure from 2007 to 2017.
Giani Raghbir Singh addressed the 'guilty' Akalis from the podium of the Akal Takht, asking them to wear plaques around their necks with a message of their admittance of guilt.
The Akal Takht has also withdrawn the Fakhr-e-Quom title, conferred on late Parkash Singh Badal, keeping in view that he was the state’s chief minister when the mistakes were committed that led to a dent to the Sikh Panth and its sentiments.
The Jathedar also directed the working committee of the SAD to accept the resignation of Sukhbir Badal as party chief and report back to the Akal Takht within three days.
On August 30, Sukhbir was declared 'tankhaiya' as part of ‘religious punishment’. Keeping in view his health as he recently suffered a hairline fracture in his leg, Sukbhir was asked to serve at the entrance of the Golden Temple wearing a guard's dress while sitting on a wheelchair.
Sukhdev Dhindsa was also awarded a similar punishment owing to his old age and health concerns.
They were also directed to perform sewa at Guru Ram Dass Jee Langar Hall.
Meanwhile, others were asked to clean up washrooms of the Golden Temple complex for an hour, followed by washing dishes and cleaning shoes of devotees for an hour each.
The Takht termed the 'mistakes' as sins, and asked Sukhbir to answer its queries, pertaining to controversial decisions taken during the party's rule from 2007-2017, in either 'yes' or 'no'.
The proceedings started with the controversial pardon granted to Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015, who faced charges of blasphemy.
Giani Raghbir Singh asked Sukhbir to reveal the truth on the allegations levelled against him about his "dubious role" in facilitating pardon to the Dera chief.
