Amritsar: An important meeting of five Sikh high priests, led by Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh was held today at Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The gathering of Sikh priests aimed to address key issues concerning Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh summoned Sukhbir Badal and other SAD ministers during the 2007-2017 government. Today, the Jathedar of Akal Takht pronounced punishment on Sukhbir Badal, who was declared Tankhaiya in August.
Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh announced religious punishments for Sukhbir Badal, Bikram Singh Majithia, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and others. Religious punishments were announced for those who were part of the cabinet at that time.
Jathedar Raghbir Singh said that Sukhbir Singh Badal and others will have to clean the utensils at all five Takhts. He will sit outside Sri Darbar Sahib with spear and will have to wear a plaque around his neck. Along with this, the Fakhr-e-Qaum honor will be withdrawn back from former CM late Prakash Singh Badal.
All of them will perform services including cleaning of bathrooms, cleaning of Utensils, serving devotees and attending Kirtan at the prominent Gurudwaras including Sri Darbar Sahin, Fatehgarh Sahib, Damdama Sahib and Kesgarh Sahib.
The Akal Takht Jathedar has also ordered that these leaders submit their resignations, which will be forwarded to the Akal Takht for approval.
The Shiromani Committee’s account branch will recover Rs 90 lakh, which was allegedly spent on advertisements for election campaigns. These funds were reportedly used to promote various political leaders, including Sukhbir Badal, Dhindsa, and others, during their electoral campaigns.
Giani Harpreet Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, and Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh addressed the gathering. During this Giani Raghbir Singh sought answer in only Yes and No from Sukhbir Badal. While answering, Sukhbir Singh Badal admitted his wrongdoings in response to six questions, including apologizing for the actions of Dera chief Ram Rahim and the misuse of Guru’s Golak.
He stated that these mistakes occurred during the Shiromani Akali Dal government and were contrary to the Sikh religion and the teachings of the Gurus.
Among the important individuals summoned to this gathering were former Cabinet ministers from Sukhbir Singh Badal’s government, ex-jathedars, members of the 2015 Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) executive, and the current SGPC president, Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami.
Earlier, Sukhbir Singh Badal appeared at Sri Akal Takht Sahib and sought the finalization of his punishment as he was declared tankhaiya (a religious offender) over three months ago.
In his written plea, Sukhbir Singh Badal stated, “Party workers wanted me to contest elections under special circumstances. The delay in resolving this issue has had a negative impact on both the community and the state. I urge Sri Akal Takht Sahib to expedite the decision on my punishment so that I can focus on countering anti-Sikh forces.”