On 30 Aug, the Akal Takht (Eternal Throne, Sikh Seat of Justice and Authority; AT) declared Sukhbir Singh Badal tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct) for his ‘decisions and crimes’ during his tenure as deputy CM of Panjab from 2007 to 2017. The edict held ‘Badal guilty of causing huge damage to the Panthic (Sikh collective) image and Sikh interests, and very badly weakening the SAD’ (SDW Vol 2 Issue 31, Story 5). The AT has also summoned other Sikh ministers who served in the SAD-BJP government during the same period, requiring them to submit written explanations within 15 days. SAD has publicly accepted the AT’s directives, with vice-president Daljit Singh Cheema stating that the party bows before the decision and will comply with the orders. On 31 Aug, Badal and other accused Gulzar Singh Ranike, Sharanjit Singh Dhillon and Mahesh Inder Grewal appeared before the AT. The AT indictment implicates former Panjab CM late Parkash Singh Badal as well. Sikh groups have called for the revocation of the award Panth Ratan Fakhr-e-Qaum (Sikh Collective’s jewel, Sikh Nation’s Honor) awarded to Parkash Singh Badal by the AT in December 2011. Like during the 2015 Sarbat Khalsa (Plenary Meet of the Khalsa), this time prominent Sikh figures have issued a joint statement demanding the withdrawal of the award. Before the AT decision Badal had appointed long-term Badal family loyalist Balwinder Singh Bhunder as SAD’s working president. While the list of those declared tankhaiya is long, prominent politicians include former Indian President Giani Zail Singh, former Union Home Minister and INC leader Buta Singh after “Operation Blue Star” and former Panjab CM Surjit Singh Barnala after “Operation Black Thunder.”
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