Days after Sukhbir Singh Badal tendered his resignation as president of Shiromani Akali Dal after he was declared ‘tankhaiya’ or guilty of religious misconduct, the highest Sikh temporal seat, Akal Takht has awarded him the punishment to clean people’s shoes.
Badal isn’t the first prominent Sikh leader to get such a punishment.
So which prominent Sikh leaders have been punished by the Akal Takht previously?
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The tradition is steeped in Sikh history.
The first Sikh Emperor Maharaja Ranjit Singh was punished for marrying a Muslim dancer. He was called to Amritsar and was sentenced to be flogged. But he apologised and was forgiven.
Former President Giani Zail Singh was among those who atoned after facing the Akal Takht’s wrath. He was punished for allowing the army to enter the Golden Temple during Operation Blue Star in 1984. He was forgiven after a written apology.
Former Union Home Minister and Congress leader Buta Singh was also penalised for his alleged role in Operation Blue Star in 1984.
Former Punjab Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala was excommunicated or expelled from the Gurdwara. The reason was his role in Operation Black Thunder, which evacuated militants from the Golden Temple in 1986. He was also asked to pay a fine and clean the shoes of visitors and recite Sikh prayers. He accepted the punishment and performed sewa for 21 days.
How can the person punished by Akal Takht atone?
The punishment is religious in nature. Those punished must present themselves in front of the Akal Takht and the five jathedars.
The guilty can be asked to clean the premises of gurudwaras, polish the shoes of visitors, or wash utensils used in the langar. Sometimes, they are asked to wear a plaque listing their offences.
In the past, more strict punishments have also been given, such as being flogged, blackening faces.
If the person does not accept the punishment, they are expelled from the community. This means they are boycotted socially.
Why have Badal and his party members been punished?
Allegations against Badal include granting pardon to Gurmeet Ram Rahim in a 2007 blasphemy case. Also, he has been censured for the failure of the then SAD-led government to punish those involved in the sacrilege of ‘Guru Granth Sahib’ of protestors in 2015. He had also supported Ram Rahim’s apology publicly.
Badal and his colleagues have been asked to clean utensils and shoes of visitors while wearing the clothes of a sewadar.
