Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], July 5 : After the Takht Patna Sahib decided to declare SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal a 'Tankhaiya', a term used for one found guilty of religious misconduct, senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljeet Singh Cheema expressed concern and said that it was "very sad for the Sikh community."
Cheema said that Badal would take cognisance of the matter but emphasised that it was not about a political figure but rather a decision of the highest Sikh temporal authority, the Akal Takht.
"Whatever is happening today is very sad for the Sikh community... Singh Sahab (Sukhbir Singh Badal) himself will take notice of this matter because it is not about any political person. It is Shri Akal Takht's decision, so how can anyone be at fault for it?" Cheema told ANI.
"Why should the name of any political leader come up? But a conspiracy has been going on for a long time. Today, some forces in the country are such that they are putting forth things against the leadership of the Sikhs and the Akali Dal in various ways..."Cheema added.
Former Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was declared 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Panj Pyare at Takht Sri Patna Sahib, one of Sikhism's five supreme temporal seats of authority.
The decision came after Badal failed to appear before the Takhat despite being summoned twice.
According to sources, Sukhbir Badal was summoned to present himself before the Panj Pyare following allegations related to his role in supporting individuals found guilty of violating a Hukamnama (a religious edict).
Despite repeated notices, Badal did not respond or appear. This non-compliance led to the declaration of Tankhaiya.
This is not the first time the Shiromani Akali Dal Chief was declared a Tankhahya.
In August 2024, Akal Takht declared Badal a 'Tankhaiya' for "some decisions" during his tenure as deputy chief minister from 2007 to 2017.
The move to declare Badal 'Tankahiya' was made by five high priests of the Shri Akal Takht. Reading the order, Jathedar (chief Priest) of Shri Akal Takht. Giani Raghbir Singh said that Badal, along with his partner Sikh Cabinet Ministers, needed to submit their written explanations within 15 days.
He was later awarded religious punishment by the Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht and directed to wash utensils and clean shoes and bathrooms.
Later in December 2024, there was an attempt on the life of Badal at the premises of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, where he was performing penance under the religious punishments pronounced by Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
During the attempted assassination, Badal was sitting at the entrance of the Golden Temple with a plaque card around his neck as part of the 'Tankhaiya' religious punishment pronounced by the Akal Takht Board for religious misconduct during his tenure from 2007 to 2017.