NEW DELHI: Former Punjab deputy chief minister and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal was on Monday directed to wash utensils, clean shoes and bathrooms after five Sikh high priests pronounced their punishment.
The priests, led by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, directed Sukhbir to perform various acts of public penance outside the Clock Tower at Golden Temple and at other key Sikh shrines for two days each wearing sewadar attire and a placard with Gurbani verses.
Sukhbir Badal, who arrived at the Golden Temple in a wheelchair because of a fractured leg, was asked to carry a “jhola on the deori” and hold a barsha.
The Jathedar further announced the withdrawal of the title of ‘Fakhre-e-Qaum’ (Pride of the Community) from former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, father of Sukhbir Badal.
Why was Sukhbir Singh Badal punished?
While reading the order, Giani Raghbir Singh had said that Sukhbir Badal, along with his partner Sikh Cabinet ministers, including Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Sucha Singh Langah, Hira Singh Gabaria and Balwinder Singh Bhundar, took some decisions which have harmed the image of ‘Panthak Swaroop’.
These included the failure to punish those responsible for the 2015 sacrilege incidents and pardoning Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the 2007 blasphemy case.
“A meeting of the Panj Singh Sahibs (five high priests of the Shri Akal Takht) was held at the Shri Akal Takht Sahibji in which it was unanimously decided that Sukhbir Singh Badal, as the deputy chief minister of the Punjab government and president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, took some decisions which have harmed the image of ‘Panthak Swaroop’,” the Sikh clergy said.
“The situation of Shiromani Akali Dal has deteriorated and Sikh interests have suffered a lot. Therefore, his partner Sikh Caicnet ministers, who were present in the government from 2007 to 2017, need to submit their written explanations in this regard within 15 days before the Shri Akal Takht,” he added.
The Sikh clergy said that the Akali leadership has lost its moral foundation and president and office bearers should be elected within six months. He added that the rebel faction should try to strengthen the Akali Dal.
Sukbir Badal had resigned as Shiromani Akali Dal president in November this year. The resignation has not been accepted yet.