Punjab, December 3, 2024 (Navroze Bureau) – Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday arrived at the Golden Temple in Amritsar with a plaque around his neck following the religious punishment pronounced for him by Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
SAD leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, too, was seen wearing a plaque around his neck while holding a spear in his hand.
“The order for ‘sewa’ is an order for me. This is the order of the Almighty that has been pronounced for me by Akal Takht… I will sit by the gate, I will also offer my services at ‘langar’,” he said.
This comes a day after Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht on Monday directed the senior Akali leader to perform as a ‘sewadar’, and wash dishes and clean shoes at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Pronouncing the order from the ‘faseel’ (podium) of the Akal Takht in Amritsar, Jathedar of the highest temporal seat for Sikhs, Giani Raghbir Singh, also announced to withdraw the title of ‘Fakhre-e-Qaum’ bestowed upon former chief minister late Parkash Singh Badal, father of Sukhbir Badal.
Five-time Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal passed away in April last year.
The Jathedar also directed the working committee of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to accept the resignation of Sukhbir Badal as party chief, besides forming a committee to hold elections for the post of SAD president and other office-bearers within six months.
The five ‘Singh Sahibans’ (Sikh clergy) also pronounced religious punishment for other Sikh leaders who served as ministers in the Akali Cabinet and were part of the core committee of the party during 2007 to 2017.
Giani Raghbir Singh said Sukhbir Badal and rebel leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa have been asked to sit outside the Golden Temple wearing the dress of ‘sewadar’ and holding a spear for one hour each for two days.
They will also wear small boards around their necks acknowledging their “misdeeds”, and perform the service of ‘sewadar’ at Takht Kesgarh Sahib, Takht Damdama Sahib, Darbar Sahib at Muktsar and Fatehgarh Sahib for two days each.
Both Sukhbir Badal and Sukhdev Dhindsa have been asked to clean utensils and shoes of devotees at the Golden Temple for one hour each, besides listening to ‘kirtan’.
Sukhbir Badal came on a wheelchair because of a fractured leg, so did Sukhdev Dhindsa due to age-related issues.
Before the pronouncement of the edict, Sukhbir Badal admitted the mistakes, including pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 2007 blasphemy case during the SAD rule in Punjab.
The punishment came nearly three months after Sukhbir Badal was declared ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Akal Takht.
The Jathedar also directed Akali leaders Sucha Singh Langah, Hira Singh Gabria, Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Daljit Singh Cheema and Gulzar Singh Ranike to clean washrooms at the Golden Temple from 12 noon to 1 pm on December 3, and then clean utensils at the community kitchen after taking bath.
They would also listen to ‘kirtan’ for one hour.
Summary: Sukhbir Badal fulfills ‘sewadar’ duties at the Golden Temple as a punishment, adhering to religious tradition.