The news coming out of Punjab—specifically Amritsar—would have surprised a lot of people. Many would have been taken aback because Punjab has not really been in the news in terms of its internal politics for some time. But, this is not just about Punjab politics, or even about Akali Dal’s politics or Sikh politics.
This emanates from Sikh religious practices because the Sikhs have a few unique concepts. One of those unique concepts is the concept of Miri and Piri. Miri means temporal power or political power, one can say.
In an unprecedented move, the Akal Takht—the supreme Sikh religious body—has imposed severe punishments on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders, including Sukhbir Singh Badal, in connection with past misdeeds involving the Sikh community. This action stems from a series of incidents that led to widespread protests, including sacrilege cases in Punjab, and the controversy surrounding the handling of apologies from figures like Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who was implicated in sacrilege incidents.
The Akal Takht, which holds both spiritual and political authority in Sikhism, convened to address the involvement of key political figures in compromising the Sikh faith. In August 2024, Sukhbir Singh Badal, along with other Akali Dal leaders, was declared “Tankhaiya” or “sinner”—one who is punished for religious offences. This punishment was related to the handling of the sacrilege incidents and the Dera Sacha Sauda controversy, where there were allegations that the Badals had influenced the clergy to accept Ram Rahim’s apology for electoral gain.
The Akal Takht’s decision included a series of symbolic punishments for the accused. Sukhbir, unable to perform physical tasks due to a fractured leg, was ordered to serve as a guard at the Golden Temple, carrying a spear to humble him. Other senior leaders were also assigned duties, like cleaning toilets, utensils, and shoes at the Golden Temple as part of their penance.
Additionally, the Akal Takht revoked the “Fakhr-e-Kaum” (pride of the community) title awarded to Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir’s father and former Punjab Chief Minister, as posthumous punishment for his role in the controversies. The decision has sparked debate, with critics accusing the Badals of undermining Sikh interests for political purposes.
This ruling from the Akal Takht signals a significant intervention in Punjab’s political and religious landscape, with far-reaching consequences for SAD and its future in state politics.
In Episode 1565 of #CutTheClutter, Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta looks at the instances of punishments meted out by the Sikh clergy, SAD’s electoral decline & what’s next for the party in Punjab.
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