Sri Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on Friday declared Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct). The declaration was made due to the “mistakes” committed by Badal and his party’s government from 2007 to 2017. Soon after the announcement, Sukhbir Singh Badal tweeted that he bows his head before the order of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and accepts this order. Badal said in a post in Punjabi that he will soon appear before Sri Akal Takht and apologize.
After a meeting of five Sikh chief priests of the Sri Akal Takht, Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh asked Badal to appear before the Sri Akal Takht Sahib within 15 days and apologise for the decisions he took as deputy chief minister and Shiromani Akali Dal president that had caused grave damage to the image of the ‘panth’ and harmed Sikh interests.
Giani Raghbir Singh said that until Badal apologizes for his “sins”, he will remain ‘Tankhaiya’. He also said that members of the Sikh community who were ministers in the Akali government during 2007-17 should also appear in person at Sri Akal Takht and submit their written explanations within 15 days.
Though the jathedar did not elaborate on the “mistakes” committed by Badal, incidents such as the theft of a ‘bir’ (copy) of the Guru Granth Sahib in Faridkot in 2015, the putting up of handwritten desecrating posters and torn pages of the holy book found scattered about had taken place during the Shiromani Akali Dal regime.
A day before the meeting, Badal had appointed senior party leader Balwinder Singh Bhunder as the working president.
Badal said in his letter that he and his colleagues would humbly accept every order issued by the Sri Akal Takht in accordance with Gurmat traditions. He also enclosed a copy of a letter written by his father and then Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to the Sri Akal Takht in October 2015, which mentioned “some sad events” that took place in Punjab during 2007 to 2015.
Two persons were killed and several injured in police firing during protests in Faridkot. Referring to the 2015 sacrilege incidents, the rebel leaders said the then government had failed to punish the culprits. They also referred to the blasphemy case registered against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in 2007, in which Badal was accused of using his influence to get the Dera chief pardoned.
In 2015, Sri Akal Takht had pardoned the Dera chief, but the decision was revoked following pressure from the Sikh community and hardliners.
What is Tankhaya?
According to Sikhism, Tankhaiya means guilty of religious misconduct. This is declared by the highest body of the Sikh sect. If any Sikh does something wrong religiously, then there is a provision for him to appear before the nearest Sikh Sangat and apologize for his mistake. Then his mistake will be reviewed by the Sangat in the presence of the holy Guru Granth Sahib and then the punishment will be decided for him accordingly. Under this, the accused is given punishments like cleaning utensils, shoes and floors in the Gurudwaras. Along with this, compensation is also decided. The punishment given under this is basically of service.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)