Akal Takht declares Sukhbir Badal guilty of religious misconduct, orders penance

The Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of the Sikh community, has pronounced former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal guilty of religious misconduct. The verdict was announced by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh in Amritsar on Monday, in the presence of the Panj Piyaare (five high priests).

Badal had been declared ‘tankhahiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) in August this year for decisions taken during his tenure as Punjab's Deputy Chief Minister (2007-2017). As penance, he has been directed to sit in front of key Sikh shrines in sevadar robes, wearing a special plaque for two days at each location, including the Golden Temple, Takht Shri Keshgarh Sahib, and Darbar Sahib (Muktsar). Following this, he must clean utensils in the langar halls for an hour daily.

In addition to Badal, several senior Akali leaders, including Bibi Jagir Kaur, Bikramjeet Singh Majithia, and Prem Singh Chandumajra, have also been pronounced guilty. They are instructed to clean the toilets within the Golden Temple complex as their penance. The Akal Takht further rescinded the Fakhar-e-Kaum (Pride of the Community) award previously granted to late Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal, citing controversial decisions during his tenure, including pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

The Akal Takht’s ruling reflects a growing discontent within the Sikh community over incidents of sacrilege and perceived missteps by SAD during its time in power. These actions, according to the Jathedar, violated Sikh tenets and strained community sentiments.

The verdict has had political ramifications. SAD, under pressure after the religious misconduct allegations, refrained from contesting the recent November bypolls and has seen its leadership struggle with internal challenges. Sukhbir Badal resigned as party president last month, and the Akal Takht has urged rebel factions to return, calling for unity to rebuild the party’s standing in Punjab.

Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh has also directed SAD to conduct a membership drive and hold internal elections for leadership positions within six months, signaling a push for accountability and reform within the party.