Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has been barred from participating in any political activities, including the crucial upcoming assembly by-elections, due to his status as a ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct). The Akal Takht jathedar (head priest) Giani Raghbir Singh oon Wednesday clarified that Sukhbir cannot partake in public or political engagements until the Sikh clergy, the Panj Singh Sahiban, formally pronounces his ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment), and he complies with it.

The by-elections to four assembly segments are scheduled for November 13, with the nomination deadline looming on October 25. However, Sukhbir’s role in the campaign remains uncertain, as the quantum of his punishment is yet to be determined by the five high priests, who are expected to meet after Bandi Chhod Diwas (Diwali).

Jathedar said that under the Akal Takht’s rules, a person declared ‘tankhaiya’ cannot resume normal public life until his or her ‘tankhah’ is pronounced from the podium of the Akal Takht and fully abided by. Despite a request from senior SAD leaders to allow Sukhbir to lead the party's campaign, the jathedar reiterated that no exemptions could be granted until the formal proceedings are completed.

On August 30, Sukhbir was declared a ‘tankhaiya’ by the Sikh clergy for controversial decisions taken during the SAD-led Government’s tenure from 2007 to 2017, when he was Punjab’s Deputy Chief Minister and held the Home Ministry portfolio. Rebel Akali leaders had lodged complaints about his alleged religious misconduct, leading to this decision.

A delegation of SAD leaders, including working president Balwinder Singh Bhunder and senior members such as Daljit Singh Cheema and Arshdeep Singh Kler, met with the jathedar on Tuesday. They requested permission for Sukhbir to resume leadership of the party's election campaign, particularly in Gidderbaha, a constituency once represented by his father, the late Parkash Singh Badal. However, the jathedar postponed any decision, awaiting the meeting of the Sikh clergy.

The SAD had hoped to field Sukhbir in the Gidderbaha bypoll, a seat historically significant to the party, as it had previously served as the launchpad for the SAD’s electoral success in 1997. However, with the jathedar’s latest pronouncement, it seems increasingly unlikely that Sukhbir will lead the party’s charge in the upcoming elections.

SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema expressed the party's frustration, noting that Sukhbir has remained inactive for over two months since being declared ‘tankhaiya’. With the bypolls fast approaching, party workers have been urging Sukhbir to lead the campaign, particularly in Gidderbaha. However, until the Panj Singh Sahiban issues a ruling on his case, Sukhbir remains sidelined from public and political activities.

SAD Working Committee to Meet Today

Akkali Dal has called an emergency meeting of its Working Committee and district presidents at the party's headquarters in Chandigarh on Thursday. The meeting, to be presided over by the party’s acting president Balwinder Singh Bhunder, comes at a crucial time for the party as its president Sukhbir Singh Badal, declared ‘tankhaiya’, has been barred by the Akal Takht to resume public activities until his religious punishment (tankhah) is decided and completed.

As the final decision on Sukhbir’s punishment is expected after Diwali, the Akali Dal has found itself at a crossroads, with by-elections for four assembly seats — Barnala, Dera Baba Nanak, Gidderbaha, and Chabbewal — looming on November 13.

A party delegation, led by senior leaders, had met with the jathedar earlier this week, urging him to expedite the decision on Sukhbir's punishment, given the pressing timeline of the bypolls. However, no immediate resolution was provided.

SAD is facing internal debate, with two differing opinions emerging within the party ranks. One faction is eager to contest the bypolls, while the other prefers to refrain from participating under the current circumstances. With just days left before the nomination deadline on October 25, the party is under pressure to finalize its strategy and determine whether it will field candidates.

After a recent core committee meeting, senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia had dismissed rumours about the party’s decision while maintaining that the parliamentary board would soon clarify the party’s stance. Majithia also refuted claims that SAD was contesting the bypolls under an agreement with the BJP.