*‘Fakr-e-Kaum’ award withdrawn from Prakash Singh Badal, Sukhbir removed as President of SAD
Amritsar, December 2 – Sikh clergy led by Jathedar Akal Takht (highest Sikh temporal seat) Gyani Raghubir Singh have directed the SAD Working Committee of the party to remove Sukhbir Singh Badal as President of the party besides immediately accepting resignations of Sukhbir Singh Badal, NK Sharma and Sarbjit Singh who had earlier resigned from their posts.
Jatehdar Akal Takht Gyani Raghbir Singh while holding Sukhbir Badal and his cabinet colleagues accountable guilty for wrong doings for the Sikh Panth on the basis of their confession pronounced Tankha ( religious punishment) here today from Akal Takht.
During hearing, questions posed by Akal Takht Jathedar Giandi Raghubir Singh, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal admitted mistakes committed during SAD led Akali Dal-BJP government during 2007-2017.
Earlier, Jathedar directed Sukhbir Singh Badal and his cabinet colleagues to answer only in YES or NO and in majority of questions Sukhbir Singh Badal admitted mistakes by saying YES but also added that a lot of mistakes were done during Akali Dal led government’s tenure.
Akal Takht has delivered its verdict on the controversial pardon granted to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim during the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) government. The punishment includes symbolic acts of repentance for Sukhbir Singh Badal, members of the core committee, and cabinet leaders of the 2015 Akali Dal government.
Others Akali leaders who were held equally guilty with Sukhbir Badal were his cabinet colleagues from the period of 2015 SAD BJp regime in Punjab
Pronouncing religious punishment Jathedar Raghubir Singh announced the directives for Sukhbir Singh Badal and other core members to clean bathrooms of Sri Darbar Sahib from 12 noon to 1 pm. Thereafter they will do SEWA in the in the langar (community kitchen besides washing used utensils of devotees. They were also told to recite Sri Sukhmani Sahib as part of their repentance.
Talking about particularly for Sukhbir Singh Badal and senior Akali leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa who were unable to stand or walk without the help of wheel chair due to their fatal injuries were asked to sit at the threshold ( entrance point) the Sri Darbar Sahib with a spear and wear a placard acknowledging their misdeeds.
Jatehdar also directed them in verdict to donate Rs 11,000 in Guru ki Golak (religious donation box). Besides to plant and maintain 1.5 lakh saplings, with immediate instructions to plant 1.25 lakh trees.
Jathedar strictly asked them to return the misused funds spent on advertisements during the SAD government is to be returned to the SGPC account with interest Sukhbir Singh Badal and other involved leaders will be held responsible for ensuring the repayment.
Sikh clergy led by Jatehdar Akal Takht didn’t hesitate to withdraw the title Fakhr-e-Qaum (Pride of the Community) awarded to former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in 2011 was also revoked posthumously
It is noteworthy here that during the proceedings, Sukhbir Badal admitted to the mistake of pardoning Ram Rahim.
Whereas, other leaders, including Prem Singh Chandumajra, denied any wrongdoing. Senior leaders such as Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Daljit Singh Cheema, Karnail Singh Panjoli, and Gurcharan Singh Grewal also refuted the allegations.
Sukhbir Singh Badal during questions raised by the jatehdar Akal Takht admitted to ignore Panthic issues deliberately, confessed promoting and giving tickets to police officers responsible for killing innocent Sikhs. He even didn’t hesitate to admit using his influence to get the Dera Sacha Sauda chief, Ram Rahim, pardoned, including summoning Jathedars to his residence to discuss the pardon. Sukhbir Badal also admitted mistakes with folded hands for wrongly handling of the Behbal Kalan firing case, besides gross misuse of Guru ki Golak (religious funds) for publicity purposes from SGPC exchequer.
Akal Takht also directed the rebel Akali leaders to to sink their differences for the wellbeing of the Akal Dal.
Meanwhile, Akal Takht has declared Harvinder Singh Sarna, former president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC),as Tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct) besides adverse remarks against its decisions.
The complaint against Sarna was filed by DSGMC President Harmit Singh Kalka, who alleged that Sarna had demeaned the sanctity and authority of Akal Takht Sahib. Kalka provided a video clip as evidence to support his claims, which was thoroughly reviewed during the proceedings.
