Mon Dec 02 16:10:44 UTC 2024: ## Former Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal Punished by Akal Takht for Religious Misconduct
**Amritsar, India** – The Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism, has handed down a significant punishment to Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab. Badal, along with other members of his Shiromani Akali Dal party’s cabinet during their 2007-2017 tenure, has been found guilty of religious misconduct, specifically for supporting Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the head of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, following the 2015 sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib.
The punishment includes cleaning utensils and toilets at the Golden Temple. Additionally, the Akal Takht has revoked the “Fakhr-e-Qoum” award bestowed upon Badal’s late father and former Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal. Badal was declared “tankhaiya” (guilty of religious misconduct) on August 30th, 2024.
The Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Raghbir Singh, ordered Badal’s party to submit a report within three days of accepting his resignation. The Jathedar also directed the guilty Akali leaders to wear placards acknowledging their wrongdoing. The actions stemmed from several controversial decisions made during the Akali Dal’s time in power, culminating in the controversial pardon granted to Ram Rahim Singh.
Considering Badal’s recent leg fracture, the punishment has been modified to include service at the Golden Temple entrance in a wheelchair. Similar adjustments were made for other officials based on age and health. The Akal Takht deemed these actions a sin, requiring Badal to answer questions regarding the controversial decisions of the 2007-2017 period. The Jathedar demanded Badal clarify his alleged role in securing the pardon for Ram Rahim.
First Piper 