Sukhbir Badal declared 'Tankhaiya' by Takht Patna Sahib for failing to appear before it
Sources said the decision is an outcome of Sukhbir's failure to appear before the Takht despite being summoned twice.
It is understood that this development would further escalate clashes between Sikh religious authorities and political figures.
Badal was called to present himself before the panj pyaras (five beloved ones) following allegations related to his role in supporting individuals found guilty of violating a 'hukamnama' (religious edict).
While making this announcement, Takht Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Baldev Singh said, "This action has been taken in view of the events that began on May 21 when unauthorized and unconstitutional interference was carried out by the Jathedars of Akal Takht and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, challenging the established norms, constitution and authority of Takht Patna Sahib. Sukhbir Badal was involved in influencing and interfering with the affairs of Takht Patna Sahib, particularly during a series of controversial decisions and actions surrounding the status of fromer Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Ranjit Singh Gohar.''
Despite repeated summons, Badal did not appear before the Panj Pyaras (five beloved ones) at the Takht Patna Sahib. However, citing ill health Badal had sought more time thus thereafter the takht in mid-June issued a fresh edict granting him twenty days more to appear before the Takht.
"Badal was given two opportunities to appear and present his position, but he failed to do so. Even after an extension of twenty days reportedly granted at the request of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami, Badal did not comply. By repeatedly ignoring the summons and undermining the authority of Takht Patna Sahib, Badal has violated the religious code. As a result, he is hereby declared Tankhayia,'' he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
36 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Sikh woman barred from exam over kirpan, Takht, SGPC fume
(Blurb) It's violation of Constitution, say Akal Takht, SGPC and SAD A Sikh woman candidate was reportedly not allowed to enter an examination hall in Rajasthan's Jaipur as she was allegedly asked to remove her religious articles, including a kirpan. The candidate, Gurpreet Kaur, a resident of Pheloke village in Tarn Taran district, had to appear in the Rajasthan Judicial Services examination. The episode has drawn condemnation from the Akal Takht, the SGPC and the SAD. The Akal Takht secretariat issued a video of Gurpreet Kaur in which she is seen protesting over being denied entry to the examination hall. She was seen asking the authorities to show the instructions regarding ban on the kakars (five articles of Sikh faith). In a statement, Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj termed the incident a grave violation of the Constitution and an act of discrimination. Questioning the BJP-led Rajasthan government, he said Amritdhari Sikhs wear kirpan as a mandatory article of faith. 'Similar instances occurred during the same recruitment process last year in Jaipur and Jodhpur. Despite a written communication from the SGPC and other Sikh bodies to the state government, the same episode has been repeated,' he mentioned. He referred to Article 25 (Explanation I) of the Constitution that affirms the right of Sikhs to wear the kirpan. 'While the country is commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadar who sacrificed his life for religious freedom and human rights, the Sikh symbols are simultaneously being questioned,' Giani Gargaj pointed out. He directed the Shiromani Akali Dal and the SGPC to immediately form a high-level joint delegation to meet with the Prime Minister, home minister, Rajasthan chief minister and the registrar of the Rajasthan high court to register a strong protest and ensure a permanent resolution. If necessary, he added, the SGPC should consider filing a petition in the Rajasthan high court. An official of Akal Takht secretariat also shared details of the case with the ex-chairman of the National Commission for Minorities and senior BJP leader Iqbal Singh Lalpura. 'Lalpura, as a Sikh, has a primary duty of talking to the BJP leadership to ensure that no Sikh faces such discrimination in any part of the country. Lalpura shall hold meetings with the Prime Minister and the home minister and submit a detailed report of the efforts made for a permanent resolution to Sri Akal Takht Sahib,' the Akal Takht secretariat stated. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said strict action must be taken against the officials at the exam centre. He recalled that a similar incident had taken place in Rajasthan with some Sikh candidates last year. At that time, an SGPC delegation had met with the administration there and urged them to ensure such incidents do not recur in the future. Terming the Jaipur episode as a 'discrimination', Dhami said an SGPC delegation would soon be sent to meet with the Rajasthan government to demand strict action against the responsible individuals. Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal sought the Prime Minister's intervention to ensure such events do not recur. 'It is shocking that rules, if any, are framed by lower authorities flouting the Constitution. The central government should issue or, if necessary, re-issue clear cut guidelines to all states and union territories about the exemption to the inseparable articles of faith,' said Badal in his letter to the PM. Sukhbir Badal also urged the Rajasthan high court to provide Gurpreet Kaur a special opportunity to appear for the RJS examination. He also asked Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal to take strict action against the responsible officials. AAP MLA seeks special chance for candidate AAP MLA Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar, who also heads the Chief Khalsa Diwan, said every individual has the right to live according to their religion and wear religious symbols. 'The incident is a direct violation of religious and constitutional rights,' he said. Seeking a chance for the student to reappear under special arrangements, he appealed to the central government to ensure that Sikh students are allowed to appear in examinations while wearing their religious symbols.
Hindustan Times
36 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Rift widens, Sukhbir faction turns down rebels' invite for party polls
The chances of reconciliation between Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the rebel faction appear to have diminished, with the Sukhbir camp making it clear that it will not participate in the upcoming election of office-bearers scheduled for August 11. Senior SAD leader Daljit Cheema The Sukhbir faction has emphasised that the election, already held on April 13 for the recast of the party, renders the new election unnecessary. Recently, the rebel faction extended an invitation to Sukhbir to join the election process for new office-bearers, with Manpreet Singh Ayali, one of the rebel leaders, stating that the election was being held to 'overhaul the party and make it a stronger regional force.' Ayali added that they were acting under the guidance of the Akal Takht, which had called for unity within the party. Senior SAD leader Daljit Cheema, however, dismissed the rebel faction's efforts, calling the membership drive a 'farce.' He questioned the legitimacy of the five-member committee, which claimed to have inducted 26 lakh new members, given the resignation of two key figures. Cheema flayed the rebel faction for their attempts to seek participation in the election process, stating that those sending invitations to join had never been members of the party. 'The members they inducted have no meaning, as the party they joined doesn't exist anymore,' Cheema said. He further clarified that the membership drive, which had been a point of contention, was conducted with permission from the Akal Takht, and followed procedures set by the Sikh temporal seat. The tension began to escalate in June last year when a group of party leaders, dissatisfied with Sukhbir's leadership, launched the 'Akali Dal Bachao Lehar' and demanded his removal as party president. The rebel faction, which included Gurpartap Singh Wadala, convener of the Sudhar Leher, Sikandar Singh Maluka, Surjit Singh Rakhra, Jagir Kaur, Prem Singh Chandumajra, Kiranjot Kaur, Manjit Singh, Surinder Bhullewal, Charanjit Singh Brar, Harinder Pal Tohra and Gaganjit Singh Barnala, has been critical of Sukhbir's role during his tenure as deputy chief minister in the SAD-BJP coalition government from 2007 to 2017. They also sought an apology from Sukhbir for alleged mistakes committed by his government. On December 2, 2024, the Akal Takht imposed a 'tankha' (religious punishment) on Sukhbir and other SAD leaders for their actions during the previous SAD-led government. This move came after a complaint filed by the rebel faction, accusing Sukhbir of damaging Sikh interests and the party's reputation. The Akal Takht also called for his resignation and directed the formation of a new seven-member committee to carry out a membership drive and elect new office-bearers within six months. The five Sikh high priests also directed both factions to bury the hatchet and forge unity for Panth's cause. Following this, the rebel leaders on December 3 last year announced to dissolve their group and discontinue the 'Sudhar Lehar'. The Akal Takht-appointed committee faced challenges when its coordinator, Harjinder Singh Dhami, and another key member, Kirpal Singh Badungar, resigned, leaving the group with only five members. Despite this, the Sukhbir faction continued its own recruitment drive, asserting its legal position. On April 12, Sukhbir was re-elected as the party's president. The SAD's electoral graph has been falling since 2017. In the 2022 state assembly elections, the party could win only three seats and in recently held Lok Sabha polls, the party won only one seat (Bathinda) and its candidates lost deposits on 10 seats. 'Never pushed for an alliance with BJP' Reacting to the recent remarks by newly appointed BJP's Punjab working president Ashwani Sharma who ruled out any alliance with the SAD, Daljit Singh Cheema said the Akali Dal never pushed for an alliance with the BJP. He pointed out that the party contested the 2022 Punjab assembly polls and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls solo. Sharma's statement came in the backdrop of Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar making a strong pitch for re-stitching the alliance with the Akali Dal, claiming it to be the need of the hour. 'We have never pushed for an alliance with the BJP nor have we spoken in public forums. In case there are speculations from certain quarters, we cannot help,' said Cheema. The party had cut ties of 24 years with the BJP in 2020 feeling the pressure from the state peasantry, which was protesting against the three farm laws. BJP's political fortunes are on a downward slide as it went solo in the 2022 state and 2024 Lok Sabha polls but failed to make a significant mark. While the SAD faced a drubbing in the assembly polls, winning just three seats, the BJP won two. In parliamentary polls, the SAD could only win the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat, while the BJP failed to open its account. 'We are not in hurry of a re-alliance with the BJP,' said another leader, adding that party leaders are working hard and the party would witness a turnaround..
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Sikh girl not allowed to take exam for wearing ‘kada', Badal writes to PM
Chandigarh: Expressing grave concern over "growing incidents of disrespect and discrimination against the sacred symbols of the Sikh religion", Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "intervene directly to put an end to this painful chain of events in the country". Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a letter to the Prime Minister, Badal sought to draw the PM's attention to an incident on Sunday in which a baptised Sikh girl, from Tarn Taran district, was reportedly stopped from entering the examination centre as a candidate for the Rajasthan Judicial Services at Poornima University, Jaipur, on the plea that she was wearing her sacred articles of faith – 'kada' and 'kirpan'. "This was a gross violation of her constitutional rights guaranteed under Article 25 of the Statute, and it denied her fundamental right to practise her religion. Article 25 of the Constitution specifically mentions 'kirpan' among other symbols of the Sikh religion, which are exempt from any bar even on flights," Badal said. He added in the letter to the PM, "It is shocking that rules, if any, are framed by lower authorities flouting the sacred Constitution of India. The govt of India should issue -- or, if necessary -- re-issue clear-cut guidelines to all states and Union Territories about the exemption to the inseparable articles of faith." Badal stated that it was "not a one-off incident but part of the ever-increasing number of examples of religious intolerance towards the uniqueness of Sikh identity. In a similar incident last year, two Sikh girls were stopped from appearing for Rajasthan Judicial Services (RJS) in an exam centre in Jodhpur." "Sikhs and their identity are inseparable, and this was duly acknowledged and constitutionally mandated for compliance for all purposes in the country by the Founding Fathers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But some officials at lower rungs deem themselves even above the Constitution. This must stop as this vitiates communal harmony in the country," Badal wrote in the letter to the PM. "You are personally aware of the profound spiritual and emotional significance of the Sikh religious symbols and what these mean to our devoutly religious and fiercely patriotic community. I request you to issue immediate directions for compliance to ensure full respect to these symbols at all levels across the country," the letter read. Badal also urged the Rajasthan high court to provide the victimised Sikh girl, Gurpreet Kaur, a special opportunity to appear for the RJS examination, ensuring her right to uphold her faith is respected. Earlier in the morning, the SAD president had taken to X, asking Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal to take strict action against the guilty officials to ensure such incidents were not repeated in his state. Will Raise Issue in Parliament: Harsimrat Kaur Badal SAD MP from Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, while condemning the incident as "unfortunate and discriminatory" and demanding strict action against officials who "barred" the girl from appearing in the examination, took to X and wrote, "I will definitely raise this issue in Parliament so that such incidents do not happen with our Sikh children in the future and a permanent solution is found."
