Sukhbir Singh Badal, Sukhdev Dhindsa begin penance at Golden Temple; stand guard at entrance

Former Punjab CM Sukhbir Singh Badal and MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa began their penance on Tuesday, a day after the Akal Takht issued a religious punishment to him, by guarding the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Badal sat at the gate of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, wearing a plaque around his neck and holding a spear, owing to the fracture in his leg.

Both Sukhbir Badal and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa were instructed to sit outside the Golden Temple wearing the dress of a 'sewadar' for one hour each for two consecutive days. They were also to perform similar duties at Takht Kesgarh Sahib, Takht Damdama Sahib, Darbar Sahib at Muktsar, and Fatehgarh Sahib.


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"The order for 'sewa' is an order for me. This is the order of the Almighty that has been pronounced for me by Akal Takht... I will sit by the gate, I will also offer my services at 'langar'," he told ANI.

The highest authority of the Sikhs also pronounced religious punishment for other SAD leaders who served in the Akali Cabinet from 2007 to 2017, including former party president and CM Sukhbir Singh Badal. The punishment to the leaders come as a response to mistakes made by the Shiromani Akali Dal government in Punjab from 2007 to 2017.

Before the punishment was announced, Sukhbir Badal admitted to several mistakes during his tenure, including pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 2007 blasphemy case.

The Akal Takht's ruling included a 'tankhah' (religious punishment) for Sukhbir Badal, directing him to serve as a 'sewadar' (volunteer) at the Golden Temple, cleaning utensils and shoes, and participating in religious duties.

In addition to the personal punishment, Giani Raghbir Singh, Jathedar of the Akal Takht, ordered the SAD's working committee to accept Sukhbir Badal's resignation as party chief and to hold elections for the position within six months. The title of 'Fakhre-e-Qaum' awarded to Sukhbir’s father, former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, was also revoked.