Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal, has received a severe punishment in connection with a religious desecration case. Badal, who played a major role in pardoning Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim during the Shiromani Akali Dal government in Punjab, was declared ‘Tankhiya’ (guilty of religious desecration) by the Akal Takht two months ago.
The Akal Takht imposed religious penalties on Badal and other cabinet members from the 2015 Akali government, including tasks like cleaning toilets and utensils at Punjab’s Golden Temple and other gurdwaras. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghubir Singh directed the Shiromani Akali Party’s working committee to accept Badal’s resignation and report to Akal Takht within three days. The Takht also instructed the party to launch a membership campaign and elect a new chairman within six months. Furthermore, Akal Takht revoked the title of ‘Fakar-e-Kaum’ from Prakash Singh Badal, former Chief Minister and father of Sukhbir.
The controversy dates back to 2007 when Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim dressed as Guru Gobind Singh and performed a ritual of sprinkling nectar in Salabatpura, following the Guru’s tradition. A police case was filed against Gurmeet, but instead of punishing him, the Akali government withdrew the case. Akal Takht later expelled Gurmeet from Sikhism for this act. It was alleged that Sukhbir Badal misused his power by pardoning Gurmeet instead of punishing him. This decision caused anger and resentment within the Sikh community, and Akal Takht Sahib reversed the pardon, holding Sukhbir and other cabinet members accountable.
Sukhbir Badal later admitted his mistake before Akal Takht Sahib, acknowledging, “We have made many mistakes. Such wrongdoings occurred during our government, and we failed to punish the criminals.” Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghubir Singh emphasized that during Sukhbir’s tenure as Akali Party chief and deputy chief minister, his decisions harmed the image of Sikhism.