Sikh Clergy Declares Sukhbir Singh Badal as ‘TanKhaya’, Seeks Clarification from Other Leaders

Sikh Clergy Declares Sukhbir Singh Badal as ‘TanKhaya’, Seeks Clarification from Other Leaders

In a significant development, the five Sikh high priests, during a meeting at the Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat, declared Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal as “TanKhaya,” a term used in Sikhism to denote someone who has committed a religious transgression and must seek forgiveness. The announcement was made by Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, who emphasized that certain decisions made by Sukhbir Singh Badal during his tenure as Deputy Chief Minister had caused considerable damage to the Sikh community and weakened the position of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

The decision comes after an intense discussion among the five Singh Sahibans, the highest clergy of Sikhism, who believe that Sukhbir Badal’s actions during the SAD-led government from 2007 to 2017 were detrimental to the Sikh Panth and the larger Sikh community. According to Jathedar Raghbir Singh, these decisions have not only harmed Sikh religious sentiments but also adversely impacted the party’s standing among the Sikh electorate.

The clergy has further demanded that all Sikh cabinet ministers and coalition partners who served in the Akali government during this period should personally present their clarifications at the Akal Takht Sahib within 15 days. This directive is aimed at understanding the role of these leaders in the decisions that are now being questioned.

Jathedar Raghbir Singh reiterated that Sukhbir Singh Badal will remain classified as a “TanKhaya” until he humbly presents himself before the Akal Takht Sahib in the presence of the Sikh Sangat (community) and the five Singh Sahibans. It was also made clear that Badal must seek forgiveness for his actions as a humble Sikh in front of Guru Sahib’s presence at the sacred Akal Takht Sahib.

This decision by the Sikh clergy carries immense significance, as it reflects the growing discontent within the Sikh religious leadership towards Sukhbir Singh Badal and the decisions made by the previous SAD government. The directive to seek clarification from other leaders also indicates that the clergy seeks to hold the entire leadership accountable for actions that allegedly harmed Sikh interests.

The development could have serious political implications for the Shiromani Akali Dal, especially as the party prepares for upcoming electoral battles. Sukhbir Singh Badal, a prominent figure in Punjab’s political landscape, will now have to address these religious concerns and seek to restore his standing within the Sikh community.

The move by the Sikh clergy emphasizes the importance of religious accountability within Sikhism, reinforcing the role of the Akal Takht Sahib as the supreme temporal authority in Sikh affairs. As this issue unfolds, it remains to be seen how Sukhbir Singh Badal and the other leaders will respond to this call for clarification.

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