Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal
| Photo Credit: PTI
A day after Akal Takht – the highest Sikh temporal seat awarded religious punishment to Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Punjab deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader for his ‘mistakes’, he was on Tuesday seen at the Golden Temple complex in Punjab’s Amritsar performing the penance.
Mr. Badal was attired in the dress of ‘sewadar’, holding a spear in his hand and a plaque in his neck, mentioning confession of his mistakes. Also, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, the rebel Akali Dal leader was seen at Golden Temple performing the penance.
The Akal Takht had on December 2, awarded religious punishments for Mr. Badal and several other Akali Dal leaders, who were part of the SAD-led government between 2007 and 2017 and were found to be ‘tankhaiya’ or guilty of religious misconduct.
Mr. Badal and Sukhdev Dhindsa were directed to perform the duties of a ‘sewadar’, sitting outside the Golden Temple and other Takht’s including Kesgarh Sahib, Damdama Sahib, Darbar Sahib at Muktsar and Fatehgarh Sahib for one hour each for two days. Also, they have been directed to clean the utensils and shoes of devotees.
The decisions came as a part of punishment from five high priests headed by Akal Takht Jathedar (chief priest) Giani Raghbir Singh, who pronounced the punishment in Amritsar at the meeting of Sikh clergies held to address ‘Panthic’ (Sikh community) and SAD related issues. On August 30, Mr. Sukhbir Badal was declared guilty of religious misconduct for several decisions that hurt the sentiments and interests of the Panth (Sikh community) when the SAD was in power between 2007 and 2017 in Punjab.
Before the pronouncement of punishments, Mr. Sukhbir Badal admitted the mistakes, which included the pardoning granted to Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in a 2007 blasphemy case, failure of the then SAD-led government to punish those involved in the sacrilege of ‘Guru Granth Sahib’ at Bargari village in 2015, among others.
Published – December 03, 2024 12:12 pm IST
