Sukhbir Singh Badal To Seek Forgiveness After Supreme Sikh Body 'Akal Takht' Declares Him Guilty Of Religious Misconduct

The Akal Takht on Friday (30 August) pronounced Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal as 'tankhaiya'—guilty of religious misconduct– for the actions taken by his party and the state government from 2007 to 2017.

In response to the declaration, Badal stated that he humbly accepts the order of the Akal Takht and bows his head in submission to the decision.

In a post on X, Badal announced that he will soon appear before the Akal Takht to seek forgiveness, news agency PTI reported.

The Akal Takht Jathedar, Gyani Raghbir Singh, has instructed Badal to present himself before the supreme Sikh authority within 15 days to apologise for decisions made during his tenure as the deputy chief minister and as the head of the Shiromani Akali Dal, which allegedly harmed Sikh interests.

Badal will retain the status of 'tankhaiya' till he formally apologises, according to the pronouncement made by Gyani Raghbir Singh at the Akal Takht complex.

Sikh community members who served as ministers during the 2007-2017 Akali government have also been ordered to appear at the Akal Takht in person and submit a written explanation within 15 days.

The meeting of Sikh clergy that made this decision included Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh.

Just a day before the meeting of the five Sikh head priests, Badal appointed senior leader Balwinder Singh Bhundar as the working president of the party.

Badal has sought "unconditional forgiveness" for "all mistakes" committed when the SAD was in power in Punjab.

He had recently submitted his explanation after the Jathedar asked him to appear in person before the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, following allegations levelled by the party's rebel leaders, who have asked him to step down.

In an earlier letter, Badal described himself as a "humble servant" of the Guru, dedicated to the Guru Granth Sahib and the Akal Takht.

Badal submitted his explanation after being summoned by the Jathedar to address allegations raised by rebel leaders within the party.

This comes after rebel Shiromani Akali Dal leaders including former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra and ex-Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, had appeared before the jathedar on 1 July and sought forgiveness for mistakes committed during the party's government between 2007 and 2017.

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