Amritsar: Sri Akal Takht, the highest temporal of Sikhs, declared former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal a ‘Tankhaiya’ on Monday. The declaration was made after Badal was found guilty of religious misconduct.
Announcing the punishment Sri Akal Takht ordered Badal to clean bathrooms and wash utensils at the community kitchen on December 3. Since the morning a number of his photos and videos have been going around on social media showing him performing the duties, he has been asked to.
Other prominent Sikhs who too were declared ‘Tankhaiya’
Importantly, Badal has joined a long list of prominent Sikhs who were also declared sinners and had to undergo punishments. Among them included the first Sikh emperor, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, former President Giani Zail Singh, former Punjab CM Surjit Singh Barnala, former Union Home Minister Buta Singh, and former SAD leader Jagdev Singh Talwandi
Notably, tankhaiya is a centuries-old tradition that is applicable only to the Sikh community. Over the years, the Akal Takht Jathedar, as also jathedars of the four other holy takhts of Sikhism—Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo, Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib, Hazur Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra and Patna Sahib in Biha, were given the power to declare a person a tankhaiya.
Crime and punishment
The person found guilty of religious misconduct is declared a ‘Tankhaiya’, from the ramparts of the Akal Takht at the Golden Temple at Amritsar. The person, who is declared ‘Tankhaiya’ by the Akal Takht is considered as a “sinner” in the Sikh community. The ‘Tankhaiya’ is required to be present before the five jathedars, the Guru Granth Sahib and the Akal Takht, and seek forgiveness.
Importantly, punishment to ‘Tankhaiya’ is religious, like cleaning Gurdwara premises, polishing the shoes of gurdwara visitors, and washing utensils used in the community kitchen, among others. Once the punishment is completed, he is forgiven after an ardaas or religious prayer.
