Akal Takht asks Sukhbir Badal to clean Golden Temple washrooms, kitchens; Here's why
Sukhbir Singh Badal has been ordered to perform cleaning duties at the Golden Temple by Akal Takht for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in 2015. The punishment includes cleaning restrooms, washing dishes, and other religious responsibilities.
FollowFormer Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has been punished with cleaning duties at washrooms and kitchens at Amritsar's Golden Temple by Akal Takht, the supreme temporal authority of the Sikhs. The religious punishment is for taking "wrong political decisions" including granting a pardon to controversial Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in 2015. On August 30, Sukhbir Badal was made a 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious wrongdoing) by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh and four other high priests.
Sukhbir Badal has been ordered to perform 'sewa' (selfless service) at the Golden Temple in Amritsar together with the leaders of his 2015 Punjab Cabinet as part of the penalty. To make up for their actions, they must clean restrooms, wash dishes, and do other religious responsibilities.
The Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht said Sukhbir Singh Badal will clean bathrooms from 12 to 1pm on December 3. He has been told to serve the bathrooms of Sri Darbar Sahib from 12 to 1pm, Â and then wash utensils for an hour and listen to Gurbani. He has been asked to wear a plaque around his neck, news agency ANI reported.Â
He has been told to sit outside the Golden Temple for an hour each for two days wearing the dress of 'sewadar'. He also has to serve one hour of langar in Gurudwaras.
Additionally, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), under the leadership of Sukhbir Badal, has been ordered by the Akal Takht to accept his resignation as party chairman within three days. In accordance with this directive, the SAD working committee is to submit a report to the Akal Takht.
Also Read |Â Indian Railways introduces UV robotic cleaning for blankets; READ details
Citing the same problems under the Akali era, the Akal Takht has even revoked the coveted "Faqr-e-Quam" (Pride of the Community) title that was previously given to the late former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
What is the case against Sukhbir Badal?
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which ruled Punjab from 2007 to 2017 in coalition with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is accused by the Akal Takht of making "religious mistakes" while in power. Badal, who served as Punjab's deputy chief minister in the administration of his late father, Parkash Singh Badal, a supporter of the SAD, was penalized for "favoring" Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the leader of the Dera Sacha Sauda, in the 2015 sacrilege case involving the Guru Granth Sahib, the primary sacred text of Sikhism.
subscribe to Asianet Newsable WhatsApp channel by clicking here.
