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The Akal Takht, the highest Sikh temporal seat, has issued a significant ruling, declaring Sukhbir Singh Badal, the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), 'tankhaiya' - guilty of religious misconduct. This verdict stems from several decisions made by the SAD government during their tenure in Punjab from 2007 to 2017, which the Akal Takht deemed to have harmed the interests and sentiments of the Sikh community (known as the Panth). The announcement, made on Friday, follows a period of unrest within the SAD, with internal dissent reaching a peak after the party's poor performance in the recent 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The Akal Takht's decision comes just days after Badal appeared before the body and offered an unconditional apology for 'all mistakes committed by the party and its government'. However, the Akal Takht, led by Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, has deemed this apology insufficient. They have declared Badal 'tankhaiya' until he appears before the Akal Takht again, this time as a 'nimana' (humble) Sikh, offering an explanation for his actions and seeking forgiveness. This second appearance is to take place within the next fifteen days. The Akal Takht has also summoned all former SAD ministers who served during the 2007-2017 period.
The simmering discontent within the SAD has been brewing for several years, but the party's recent electoral setbacks exacerbated the crisis. This led to a revolt within the party, with several senior leaders calling for Badal's removal from the leadership position. Prominent rebel figures, including Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Bibi Jagir Kaur, and Prem Singh Chandumajra, were expelled by the SAD disciplinary committee, accused of engaging in anti-party activities. These rebels have publicly criticized Badal, accusing him of prioritizing political gains over the interests of the Panth and failing to represent the sentiments of the Sikh community. In a significant move, these rebel leaders presented the Akal Takht with an apology letter outlining 'four mistakes' made during the SAD government's tenure, specifically blaming Badal, who served as deputy chief minister at the time, for these actions.
The key mistakes outlined in the letter include the pardoning of Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the head of the Dera Sacha Sauda, in a 2007 blasphemy case. The letter also criticizes the SAD government's failure to punish those responsible for the sacrilege of the 'Guru Granth Sahib' at the Bargari village in 2015. Following the presentation of this letter, Akal Takht chief Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh summoned Badal to explain his role in these events. This led to Badal's appearance before the Akal Takht and his unconditional apology. However, the Akal Takht's verdict demonstrates that the apology was not considered sufficient, highlighting the seriousness of the charges and the deep divisions within the Sikh community regarding the conduct of the SAD leadership.
The Akal Takht's decision to declare Badal 'tankhaiya' represents a significant moment in Sikh politics. It underscores the importance of religious and moral accountability for political leaders within the Sikh community. The Akal Takht's demand for Badal to appear again and seek forgiveness indicates their expectation that he will acknowledge the gravity of the accusations and actively work to restore trust within the community. The next fifteen days will be crucial as Badal faces the challenge of addressing the Akal Takht's demands and attempting to navigate the turbulent political landscape within the SAD. The outcome of this situation will have a significant impact on the future of the SAD and its position within the Sikh community.
Source: Akal Takht indicts SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal for ‘religious misconduct’