Sukhbir Singh Badal Undertakes Akal Takht’s Punishment at Golden Temple

Sukhbir Singh Badal Undertakes Akal Takht's Punishment Golden Temple

Published: December 3, 2024

A major penance has begun as former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and ex-president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Sukhbir Singh Badal, began his religious punishment at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. This was due to being declared ‘tankhaiya’ by Akal Takht over decisions he made during his tenure from 2007 to 2017.

#WATCH | Punjab: Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia washes utensils at Golden Temple in Amritsar following the religious punishment pronounced for him by Sri Akal Takht Sahib yesterday.

The punishment includes a directive to perform as a ‘sewadar’ and clean… pic.twitter.com/oWqmMPDlki

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2024

On December 3, 2024, photographs showed Sukhbir Singh Badal, with a hairline fracture, inside the Golden Temple, wheelchair-bound, with a plaque on his neck and a spear in hand. The punishment, handed down by the Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of the Sikhs, includes cleaning toilets, washing utensils, and performing other selfless services (sewa) at the temple.

Sukhbir Badal at Sri Darbar Sahib Complex to serve day 1 of Tankhah. pic.twitter.com/LSoUxVBOzY

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The Akal Takht’s edict also includes the revocation of the ‘Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Qaum‘ (Pride of the Community) title that had been conferred upon Sukhbir Singh Badal’s late father, Parkash Singh Badal, for his role in controversial decisions during his tenure as Chief Minister. This punishment emphasizes the fact that within the Sikh community, accountability is expected to be given for any activities that are considered as acts of religious misconduct.

The punishment meted to Sukhbir Singh Badal is part of a broader advisory in which other top leaders of the Akali have been directed to perform such penance at other places of the Sikh religion. The Akal Takht move brings out the element of politics and religion and how accountability and humility form an integral part of leadership.