Tankhaiya Sukhbir to clean toilets at Golden Temple

The Sikh clergy on Monday pronounced “tankhah” (religious punishment) for Sukhbir Singh Badal and other Akali leaders for “mistakes” committed by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and its government in Punjab from 2007 to 2017, directing them to clean toilets and utensils at the Golden Temple for two days.

Pronouncing the edict from the “faseel” (podium) of the Akal Takht, Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh directed the SAD working committee to accept Sukhbir’s resignation as party chief. He named a seven-member committee for holding elections to the post of SAD president and office-bearers within six months.

The Jathedar also announced the withdrawal of the Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Qaum (pride of the Sikh community) title bestowed upon former CM late Parkash Singh Badal during whose tenure the “mistakes” were committed.

Sukhbir, who recently got his foot fractured, sat on a wheelchair with folded hands as the Jathedar pronounced the edict. He was accompanied by senior Akali leaders, including Daljit Singh Cheema, Sucha Singh Langah, Hira Singh Gabria, Balwinder Singh Bhunder and Gulzar Singh Ranike. Rebel SAD leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa was also present.

As per the edict, Sukhbir and other leaders will stand guard with a spear in hand outside the Golden Temple for one hour each for two days, starting Tuesday. They will later clean toilets and utensils for one hour each. The leaders will then recite Sukhmani Sahib “path” and listen to “kirtan”. In view their health condition, the Jathedar told Sukhbir and Dhindsa that they could sit on a wheelchair while performing the “sewa” of the guard.

All leaders will also perform a similar “sewa” at Takht Kesgarh Sahib, Takht Damdama Sahib, Darbar Sahib in Muktsar and Fatehgarh Sahib for two days each.

Earlier, the clergy made the Akali leaders wear plaques around their neck with a message of their admission of guilt. The proceedings started with Sukhbir’s questioning over the controversial pardon granted to Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015, who faced the charges of blasphemy.

The Akal Takht termed the “mistakes” as sins and told Sukhbir to admit or deny the charges by just saying “yes” or “no”. Giani Raghbir Singh first asked Sukhbir about his “dubious role” in facilitating pardon to the dera chief by pressuring the then Takht jathedars. Sukhbir tried to explain the matter, but when the Jathedar interrupted him, he was left with no choice and said “yes”.

Sukhbir also said “yes” when asked about the “misutilisation” of Rs 91 lakh “golak” money on advertisements to justify the pardon. The Akal Takht directed that the amount along with interest be realised from Sukhbir, Dhindsa, Langah, Gabria, Bhunder, Ranike and Cheema.

Sukhbir also admitted to his “mistake” of elevating “a tainted IPS officer infamous for fake encounters of Sikh youth” to the top post of the state police. Dhindsa, when questioned, admitted to recommending the allocation of Assembly poll ticket to the wife of another controversial police officer.

Meanwhile, Akali leaders Bibi Jagir Kaur, Prem Singh Chandumajra, Surjit Singh Rakhra, Bikram Singh Majithia, Maheshinder Singh, Sharanjit Singh, Charanjit Singh, Adesh Partap Singh Kairon and Janmeja Singh Sekhon were also given punishment for not opposing the party decision to grant pardon to the dera chief. They were directed to clean washrooms at the Golden Temple complex for one hour and clean floor and utensils at the nearest gurdwara in their vicinity for five days.

SAD chief admits to most charges

• Sukhbir admitted to his role in facilitating pardon to dera chief Ram Rahim by pressuring the then Takht jathedars
• Said “yes” to the charge of misutilisation of Rs 91 lakh “golak” money on advertisements to justify the pardon
• Admitted to elevating “tainted officer infamous for fake encounters” to the post of Director General of Police

Majithia, Jagir Kaur get punishment too

Many Akali leaders, including Bikram Singh Majithia and Bibi Jagir Kaur, were also told to clean toilets at the Golden Temple for one hour for not opposing pardon to the dera chief