ಮಾಜಿ ಸಿಎಂ ಸುಖಬೀರ್ ಬಾದಲ್ಗೆ ಧಾರ್ಮಿಕ ಶಿಕ್ಷೆ: ಸ್ವರ್ಣ ಮಂದಿರದಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾತ್ರೆ, ಬೂಟು ಸ್ವಚ್ಛಗೊಳಿಸುವಂತೆ ಅಕಾಲ ತಖ್ತ್ ಆದೇಶ

Wed Dec 04 07:09:07 UTC 2024: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**Former Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal Receives Religious Penalty**

AMRITSAR, INDIA (December 3, 2024) – Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Chief Minister of Punjab, has been issued a religious penalty by the Akal Takht, the highest religious body of Sikhism, for alleged misconduct. Five head priests, led by Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, announced the punishment on Monday.

Badal’s penalty involves cleaning utensils and shoes at the Golden Temple in Amritsar as an act of atonement. Additionally, the Akal Takht revoked the title of “Panth Ratan Fakhr-e-Quam,” previously bestowed upon Badal. The accusations against him include allegedly pardoning Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the self-styled godman and head of Dera Sacha Sauda, who faces blasphemy charges.

Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh also directed the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) executive committee to accept Badal’s resignation as party president within three days. He further instructed the committee to initiate a membership drive and elect a new president within six months.

The Akal Takht had summoned Badal and other ministers on August 30th to answer accusations of making politically motivated decisions detrimental to the Sikh Panth during their party’s tenure (2007-2017). While declared “Tankhaiya” (guilty) at that time, no punishment was then imposed. Along with Badal, other SAD leaders Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Gulzar Singh Ranike, and Janmeja Sekhon were also ordered to perform “seva” (service) in “sevadar” (volunteer) uniforms, cleaning utensils and shoes.

The summons also included other SAD members and key figures from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to explain their roles in alleged religious violations. The accusations stem from allegations that Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh mimicked Guru Gobind Singh in 2007 and that the Guru Granth Sahib was disrespected in 2015. These allegations prompted rebel SAD members and several Sikh organizations to demand Badal’s resignation.