Sukhbir Singh Badal was declared a Tankhaiya by Akal Takht for his ‘religious mistakes’, what is this punishment, which big leaders have received it?

Recently, Akal Takht took a big decision and declared Shiromani Akali Dal President and former Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal as Tankhaiya. This decision was taken for the alleged religious mistakes committed by Badal during his tenure. The decision was taken after a meeting of the Singh Sahibans of the five Takhts. Akal Takht issued a statement that when Badal was the Deputy CM, he took decisions that were not in the interest of the Sikhs.

According to a report by The Wire, Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh of Sri Akal Takht said that within 15 days Badal should appear before the Akal Takht and apologize. Along with this, those ministers who were part of the Akali cabinet from 2007 to 2017 should also give an explanation. Till the time they do not apologize for their mistakes, they will remain tankhaiyas.

But what is Tankhaiya and if someone is branded as such, what can be the punishment for him?

In Sikhism it means a person who has committed a religious mistake. When someone is a Tankhaiya is decided by the Akal Takht, the biggest religious institution of the Sikhs. If a person belonging to the Sikh religion commits a religious mistake, then he has the option to appear before the Sikh Sangat near him and accept his mistake. After this, the Sangat will investigate his mistake and the punishment will be decided accordingly. The punishment is based on how big or small the mistake is. For example, the punishment ranges from cleaning shoes in the Gurudwara to washing the floor or washing utensils. There can also be some fine. But the main purpose of the punishment is to correct the mistake and increase the spirit of service.

what happens with the salary

Just like many times people of the community boycott social mistakes, this is similar. Tankhaiya’s hookah-paani is stopped. He cannot mingle with the people of the community. He cannot attend weddings, nor do people come to Tankhaiya’s house on any social occasion. He is not even allowed to go to any Gurudwara. This is a very big punishment in itself. Earlier, the punishment was also given to smear the face with soot or to walk with a board with the name Tankhaiya written on it hanging around the neck.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who founded the Sikh Empire in 1801 and ruled until 1839, was also not spared by the Akal Takht. He was also declared a Tankhaiya for marrying a Muslim dancer.

What are the allegations against Badal?

Talking about the latest case, Badal apologized for his mistakes and wrote on Instagram that he would soon appear before Sri Akal Takht. While serving as Punjab’s deputy CM for the next 10 years from 2007, many of Badal’s actions were considered religiously wrong. Such as taking a soft stand for Gurmeet Ram Rahim of Dera Sacha Sauda, ​​allegedly persuading Akal Takht to appoint Sumedh Singh Saini as Punjab Police Director General in 2012 and the murder of Sikh youth in Bargari and the laxity in providing justice to the victims.

Who got punishment

He is not the first leader, before this many big leaders have been declared as Tankhaiya. These include Maharaja Ranjit Singh, former President Giani Zail Singh, former Home Minister Buta Singh, former Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala and former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. This punishment has been viewed with great fear in Punjab politics. Even though there is no physical pain or jail-like punishment in the punishment, but religious-social boycott affects the core voters.

What is Akal Takht, which has so much power

This is the biggest religious institution of the Sikhs. The sixth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Hargobind Sahib, established Sri Akal Takht in the year 1609. All Sikhs have to follow its decision, no matter how big a leader they are. But you can also guess its power from the fact that Akal Takht can oppose the decisions of leaders through Tankhaiya. Even no government can oppose it. Yes, but it is definitely true that Akal Takht can punish only those who believe in Sikhism.

One has to be cautious during the punishment

During his service in the gurudwara, the Tankhaiya has to take special care of cleanliness. Also, during the punishment, he has to stay at the designated place. He cannot go home or any other place. The family can come to meet him but there are many restrictions in this too. After completing the punishment properly, the person is no longer a Tankhaiya and he returns to religious-social life.