Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest secular body of the Sikh community, has given its verdict on the controversial pardon given to Dera Sachcha Sauda chief Ram Rahim during the Shiromani Akali Dal government. The punishment includes symbolic repentance for Sukhbir Singh Badal, core committee members and cabinet leaders of the 2015 Akali Dal government. A meeting of five Singh Sahibans was held at Akal Takht regarding the Sukhbir Badal case. The punishment has been announced after this meeting.
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Sri Akal Takht Sahib has given religious punishment to Sukhbir Badal and other cabinet members of the 2015 Akali government including cleaning toilets, washing utensils in the Golden Temple. On August 30, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was declared ‘Tankahiya’ by Sri Akal Takht Sahib after the body unanimously decided that Sukhbir Singh Badal, as Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Government and President of Shiromani Akali Dal, had Such decisions which damaged the image of ‘Panthak Swarup’.
Cleaning Duty: On December 3, Sukhbir and others will have to clean the bathrooms of Sri Darbar Sahib from 12 noon to 1 pm.
Service in Langar: After cleaning, they will take bath and serve in langar (community kitchen).
Prayer: They are required to recite Sri Sukhmani Sahib as a form of repentance.
Public Atonement: Sukhbir Singh Badal should sit outside Sri Darbar Sahib with a spear and wear a placard confessing his misdeeds.
Symbolic offering: They will serve in a vessel worth Rs 11,000 and donate Rs 11,000 in the Golak (religious donation box).
Tree Plantation: Leaders have been ordered to plant and take care of 1.5 lakh saplings with instructions to plant 1.25 lakh saplings immediately.
Refund of misused funds: The money spent on advertisements during the SAD government is to be returned to the SGPC account with interest. Sukhbir Singh Badal and other leaders involved will be held responsible for ensuring repayment.
In a landmark decision, the title of Fakhr-e-Kaum (pride of the community) given to former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal in 2011 was also posthumously cancelled.
