Chandigarh: The Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of the Sikh community, has delivered its verdict on Sukhbir Singh Badal, the former president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). The verdict was announced by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on Monday in Amritsar, in the presence of the Panj Piyaare (five high priests).
Badal was declared ‘tankhahiya’ (guilty) of religious misconduct in August. He had earlier urged the Akal Takht, often referred to as the Supreme Court of the Sikhs, to deliver its verdict promptly.
As part of the punishment, the Jathedar instructed Badal, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, to sit dressed as a sevadar (volunteer) in front of five significant gurdwaras across the state for two days each. These gurdwaras include Shri Harimandar Sahib (Golden Temple), Takht Shri Keshgarh Sahib, Takht Shri Damdama Sahib, Darbar Sahib (Muktsar), and Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib. The designated time for Badal to sit in front of these gurdwaras will be from 9 am to 10 am each day. Following this, he is required to spend an hour cleaning utensils in the langar hall as an act of penance.
Along with Badal, several senior leaders were also found guilty. These include Bibi Jagir Kaur, Prem Singh Chandumajra, Surjit Singh, Bikramjeet Singh Majithia, BJP leader Sohan Singh Thandal, and others. They have been directed to clean the toilets in the Golden Temple complex on Tuesday as part of their punishment.
In a significant move, the Akal Takht head also rescinded the “Fakhar-e-Kaum” (Pride of the Community) award previously given to the late Prakash Singh Badal, former Chief Minister of Punjab, for pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim during his tenure.
Political Significance of the Verdict
This verdict marks a key turning point in Punjab politics, especially for the Shiromani Akali Dal and its leadership. The leaders were found guilty of making ‘wrong decisions’ during the period from 2007 to 2017 when the party was in power. This period was marred by incidents of sacrilege and other controversies that brought the Akal Takht into action.
Since the verdict, SAD has refrained from contesting the November 20 bypolls for four assembly seats in Punjab, following the Akal Takht’s ban on Sukhbir Badal’s campaign. Last month, Badal resigned as the party’s president.
The Jathedar has also called for the rebel faction of the Akali Dal to return and work together for the betterment of the party and the state. Additionally, the party has been instructed to conduct a membership drive and hold elections for office bearers within the next six months.
