Sukhbir Badal was Punished for Cleaning Utensils in the Golden Temple
Sukhbir Singh Badal, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), has been publicly reprimanded by the Akal Takht, the supreme temporal body of the Sikh community, for what it has deemed “religious misconduct.” In a significant move, the Akal Takht has instructed Badal to clean utensils and perform other penances at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, an act that has sparked widespread discussion in both political and religious circles.
The Akal Takht’s ruling follows an earlier decree in August, in which Badal was pronounced guilty of violating the Sikh religious code. He was declared a “tankhaiya,” a term used within the Sikh community to describe individuals who have committed religious violations.
The root of the controversy stems from his political actions during his tenure as Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, under the leadership of his father, Parkash Singh Badal, from 2007 to 2017.
At the heart of the matter is Badal’s alleged involvement in the controversial 2015 sacrilege incident, which involved the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib, the central religious scripture of Sikhism. This event triggered violent clashes between Sikhs and followers of Dera Sacha Sauda, a controversial religious organization led by Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
The Akal Takht has strongly criticized the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for its actions during this period, particularly for its perceived leniency toward Dera Sacha Sauda and its head, Ram Rahim.
The Role of Dera Sacha Sauda in the Controversy
One of the central points of contention is the Akali Dal’s dealings with Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who was excommunicated by the Sikh community in 2007. Despite this, the Akali leadership, including Sukhbir Singh Badal, continued to maintain ties with Ram Rahim.
These ties were seen as politically motivated, as Dera Sacha Sauda holds significant influence in Punjab’s rural areas, where it has a large following.
The Akal Takht’s punishment of Sukhbir Badal stems partly from his involvement in a later attempt to have Ram Rahim pardoned for his role in the sacrilege case.
The Sikh clergy condemned this move, arguing that it undermined the Sikh faith and violated the principles of justice. Additionally, the incident led to widespread protests and violence, which further fueled the animosity between the Sikh community and the Akali leadership.
The Kotkapura Firing Incident
The Akal Takht’s decision also references the Kotkapura police firing incident of October 2015, which occurred in the wake of the sacrilege case. During the protests against the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib, Punjab police opened fire on Sikh protesters, resulting in several casualties. This event remains a point of major contention within the Sikh community, as many believe the use of force was excessive and unjustified.
The leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal, including Sukhbir Singh Badal, was widely criticized for its handling of the situation. The appointment of IPS officer Sumedh Singh Saini as the state’s police chief, despite his controversial role during the militancy period in Punjab, further angered the Sikh clergy.
Saini’s involvement in human rights violations during the 1980s and 1990s has made him a highly controversial figure, and the Akal Takht strongly objected to his appointment.
The Akal Takht’s Punishment for Sukhbir Badal
In response to these events, the Akal Takht has imposed a series of religious punishments on Sukhbir Badal. He has been ordered to clean the bathrooms of Sri Darbar Sahib, the Golden Temple, between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. on December 3, 2024. Following this, he is required to wash utensils for an hour and listen to Gurbani, the sacred hymns of Sikhism.
Additionally, Badal has been instructed to wear a plaque around his neck as a symbol of penance. The punishment is not limited to physical tasks; the Akal Takht has also mandated that he serve in the langar (community kitchen) for one hour at a Gurudwara. These penances are designed to reflect the gravity of his actions and to seek forgiveness from the Sikh community.
Despite his high-profile position in Punjab politics, Badal has accepted the charges laid against him. He was seen arriving at the Golden Temple in a wheelchair due to a fractured leg, yet he complied with the Akal Takht’s instructions. In a further act of humility, he was asked to carry a “jhola on the deori” (a bag on the doorway) and hold a “barsha” (a ceremonial stick) as part of his penance.
The Akal Takht’s decision to publicly punish Badal marks a significant moment in the relationship between politics and religion in Punjab. The Sikh clergy has also directed religious penalties for other figures associated with the SAD, including Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Sucha Singh Langah, Hira Singh Gabaria, and Balwinder Singh Bhundar, further highlighting the widening rift within the Sikh community.
The Akali Dal, once a dominant political force in Punjab, has seen its moral authority questioned in the wake of these events. The Akal Takht’s call for the election of new leadership within the party further underscores the ongoing internal crisis facing the SAD. Sukhbir Badal’s resignation as the party president last month has added to the sense of disarray within the party.
The actions of the Akal Takht have sparked a wide range of reactions. Some members of the Sikh community support the punishment, believing that it is a necessary step to hold political leaders accountable for their actions and their treatment of the Sikh faith.
Others, however, argue that such public penalties do little to address the root causes of the issues within the Sikh community and Punjab’s political landscape.
Many also view this incident as part of a broader struggle for the control of religious institutions in Punjab, where political influence often intersects with spiritual authority.
The Akal Takht, as the supreme body of Sikhism, has long been seen as a guardian of Sikh values, and its decision to take such a strong stance against Badal may have far-reaching consequences for the future of both the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Sikh faith.
Sukhbir Badal’s punishment by the Akal Takht for his alleged religious misconduct underscores the deepening tensions between politics and religion in Punjab. As the former Deputy Chief Minister faces public penance at the Golden Temple, the larger political and religious ramifications of this event continue to unfold.
The Shiromani Akali Dal’s leadership crisis, combined with the growing demands for accountability, suggests that the political landscape in Punjab may undergo significant changes in the coming months.
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