Sukhbir Badal arrives at Golden Temple on first day of his penance

Tue Dec 03 06:42:22 UTC 2024: ## Former Deputy Chief Minister Begins Penance at Golden Temple

**Amritsar, Punjab –** Sukhbir Singh Badal, former president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, commenced a period of penance at Amritsar’s Golden Temple on December 3rd. The act follows his August declaration of guilt (“tankhaiya”) for religious misconduct by the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism.

Badal, who is currently wheelchair-bound due to a fractured leg, wore a plaque around his neck acknowledging his confession of sins. This symbolic act is part of the religious punishment decreed by the Akal Takht following a meeting of Sikh clergies addressing issues within the Sikh community and the SAD. The punishment includes performing “sewadar” work, such as cleaning and washing utensils.

Several other Akali Dal leaders, who served in the Punjab government between 2007 and 2017, also received similar punishments and are undertaking penance. Former MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa stated his acceptance of the Akal Takht’s order as the will of the Almighty. The Akal Takht found the leaders guilty of actions that hurt the sentiments and interests of the Sikh community during their time in power.