A day after the Akal Takht, the highest temporal body of Sikhs, pronounced religious punishment for Sukhbir Singh Badal and other leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for mistakes made during the party’s rule in Punjab from 2007 to 2017, Badal began his sentence on Tuesday by standing guard outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Sukhbir Badal, along with former Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, was ordered to serve a religious sentence that included tasks such as cleaning toilets, serving in the community kitchen, performing Nitnem (daily Sikh prayers), and reciting the Sukhmani Sahib.

However, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh allowed Badal to hold a spear while standing guard as a concession due to a leg fracture. Similarly, Dhindsa was also allowed to hold a spear instead of cleaning toilets. The two were assigned to serve as gatekeepers for two days, dressed in traditional servant attire and holding spears as a symbol of humility.

Also Read

On Monday, the Akal Takht directed Sukhbir Badal, along with rebel leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, to serve as a ‘sewadar’ (volunteer) at the Golden Temple, washing dishes and cleaning shoes. The two leaders will also wear traditional servant attire and hold a spear while standing guard for one hour each for two days. Additionally, they will perform services at other Sikh Takhts, including Kesgarh Sahib and Damdama Sahib, for two days each.

The Akal Takht also revoked the Fakhre-e-Qaum (Pride of the Nation) title awarded to former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir’s father, who passed away in April.

The punishment came nearly three months after Sukhbir Badal was declared ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Akal Takht.

The party’s working committee was instructed to accept Sukhbir Badal’s resignation as party chief and hold elections for new leadership within six months. Other Akali leaders, including Sucha Singh Langah, Hira Singh Gabria, and Bikram Singh Majithia, were also assigned religious tasks, including cleaning washrooms and utensils at the Golden Temple.