n a decision that has sent ripples through Punjab’s political landscape, the Akal Takht – Sikhs’ highest temporal authority – has declared Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal a ‘tankhaiya’ — a term signifying one guilty of religious misconduct.
The decision, delivered on Friday by Akal Takht Jathedar (head priest) Giani Raghubir Singh after a meeting of five Jathedars (head priest of five temporal seats), followed allegations that Sukhbir violated the Sikh religious code, particularly concerning his actions and affiliations during his tenure as Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and as the leader of the SAD. The decision marked a significant moment in the ongoing crisis within the SAD — one of Punjab’s most influential political parties.
The declaration of Sukhbir as ‘tankhaiya’ comes a day after he appointed his father Parkash Singh Badal’s loyalist and close aide Balwinder Singh Bhundur as SAD’s working president — a move widely seen as an attempt to stabilize the party amid internal dissent and growing pressure from ‘rebel’ leaders.
The Akal Takht’s decision is rooted in allegations that Sukhbir, during his tenure as Deputy Chief Minister and as SAD president, violated a 2007 hukamnama (edict) issued against the Dera Sacha Sauda, a controversial sect based in Haryana’s Sirsa, forbidding any Sikh from associating with the Dera. Yet, under Sukhbir’s leadership, SAD allegedly sought and secured political support from the Dera during elections.
As per the decision of Sikh clergy, Sukhbir has been asked to appear before the Akal Takht within 15 days to atone for his transgressions. Failure to do so would result in him continuing to be regarded as a ‘sinner’ within the Sikh faith. The edict also extended to other ‘Sikh ministers’ who served under Parkash Singh Badal during the SAD-BJP coalition government from 2007 to 2017, requiring them to present themselves before the Akal Takht and provide written explanations for their conduct.
The Allegations and Response
The allegations against Sukhbir Badal are serious and multifaceted — including accusations of favouring Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, a figure notorious among Sikhs for blasphemous actions, and of exerting undue influence on the Akal Takht. Further, Sukhbir is accused of orchestrating the controversial appointment of IPS officer Sumedh Singh Saini as Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) in 2012, despite Saini's troubling history, which includes allegations of human rights violations during the militancy period in Punjab.
In response to these accusations, Sukhbir penned a letter to Jathedar Giani Raghubir Singh, in which he admitted to the mistakes made under his leadership and sought atonement. Without directly addressing the specific allegations, Sukhbir expressed unconditional remorse and sought forgiveness from the Akal Takht, emphasizing his humility and submission to the authority of the Sikh community’s supreme temporal seat, stating that he was “no one” to argue or defend himself before the supreme authority of the Akal Takht and that he sought unconditional forgiveness as a devout Sikh. Sukhbir, after Akal Takht’s decision on Friday, reiterated his acceptance of the supreme body’s verdict through a post on social media, signaling his readiness to present himself before the religious authority for accepting his tankha and atone his “sins”.
Rebel Leaders’ Role
The Akal Takht's decision to declare Badal a ‘tankhaiya’ followed a sustained campaign by a group of rebel SAD leaders, including former MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s (SGPC) former president Bibi Jagir Kaur, former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, former Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, former MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala, and other senior figures. These leaders, who have been calling for Sukhbir to step down as SAD president, appeared before the Akal Takht earlier in July and apologized for the “mistakes” committed during the SAD-BJP Government’s tenure from 2007 to 2017. Along with their apology, their complaint to the Akal Takht detailed various grievances, including Sukhbir’s failure to adequately respond to incidents of sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib in 2015, which led to widespread unrest and police violence in Punjab.
The rebel leaders also criticized Sukhbir for allegedly engineering a pardon for the Dera Sacha Sauda chief, a decision that sparked outrage among Sikhs and was later retracted. Additionally, they criticized Sukhbir for appointing controversial figures like IPS officer Sumedh Singh Saini as Punjab's Director General of Police, despite their alleged involvement in human rights abuses during the militancy period. Sukhbir was also accused appointing Farzana Alam, the wife of another controversial police officer Izhar Alam — who is facing similar charges — as chief parliamentary secretary in the Akali government. These allegations were formally presented to the Akal Takht by the rebel leaders on July 1, leading to the current predicament faced by Sukhbir. The dissidents have positioned themselves as the true custodians of Sikh values and are determined to restore the party's integrity by ousting Badal from leadership.
Akal Takht’s Mandate
Declaring him tankhaiya, the Akal Takht has given Sukhbir 15 days to appear before the Sikh community’s apex body and atone for his transgressions. In case he fail to comply, he will continue to bear the stigma of being a ‘tankhaiya’ — a title that severely damages his standing within the Sikh community. Giani Raghbir Singh, delivering the decision alongside the four other jathedars, stated that the Akal Takht had determined Sukhbir’s actions led to a “serious decline in the image of the Sikh community, a deterioration in the state of the Shiromani Akali Dal, and harm to Sikh interests”.
These actions, he noted, were taken by Sukhbir during his tenure as both Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and president of the Shiromani Akali Dal. Sukhbir held the deputy CM position from 2007 to 2017 and has been the party's president since 2008. The Akal Takht instructed Sukhbir to “seek atonement for his transgressions” by humbly presenting himself before the Guru Granth Sahib, the five high priests, and the broader Sikh community. If he fails to do so, he will continue to be regarded as a transgressor of the Sikh faith. Furthermore, Giani Raghbir Singh issued a directive that all Sikh ministers who served in the Akali cabinet during Badal's tenure must also present themselves before the Akal Takht within 15 days and submit written explanations for their actions.
Broader Implications for SAD
The Akal Takht’s decision comes at a time of considerable turmoil within the SAD, a party that has seen its influence wane significantly since its loss in the 2017 Punjab Assembly elections after ruling Punjab for a decade. The party’s decline has been exacerbated by internal divisions, with the rebel faction led by Dhindsa and others openly challenging Sukhbir’s leadership. The appointment of Balwinder Singh Bhundur as the party’s working president on Thursday was an apparent bid by Sukhbir to consolidate his control over the party. However, the timing of the Akal Takht’s declaration suggested that the move may have come too late to quell the dissent. The rebel leaders have already demanded that Sukhbir should resign from his position as SAD president, arguing that his continued leadership is untenable given the Akal Takht’s ruling. Gurpartap Singh Wadala, a former MLA and the convener of the Akali Dal Sudhar Lehar – a reform movement within the SAD – issued a statement calling for Sukhbir’s immediate resignation. He argued that a leader declared a ‘tankhaiya’ has no moral authority to lead a party that represents the Sikh community.
The Path Forward
As Sukhbir Badal contemplates his next steps, SAD faces an uncertain future. The Akal Takht’s ruling has not only tarnished Sukhbir’s personal reputation but has also further weakened the party’s standing among the Sikhs. The upcoming days will be crucial in determining whether Sukhbir can navigate this crisis and restore his credibility or whether the rebel faction will succeed in its efforts to reform the party from within. The Akal Takht’s mandate to other Sikh leaders who served in the SAD-BJP government from 2007 to 2017 to appear before the body and explain their actions adds another layer of complexity to the situation. These leaders, who were part of Parkash Singh Badal’s Cabinet, now face the daunting task of justifying their roles in the controversial decisions that have come to define that period.
In Punjab’s charged political atmosphere, where religious and political identities are deeply intertwined, the fallout from the Akal Takht’s decision will be closely watched. As the 15-day deadline looms, all eyes are on how Sukhbir will respond to this religious and political quagmire. His decision to atone before the Akal Takht could be seen as a gesture of humility, but whether it will be enough to placate the dissenters and restore the party's standing remains to be seen. In the meantime, the Akali Dal faces an existential challenge that could reshape the future of Sikh politics in Punjab.
BOX: The Burden of being Tankhaiya
In Sikhism, being declared a 'tankhaiya' (sinner) is a grave matter, marking an individual as a violator of the rehat maryada, the sacred Sikh code of conduct. This designation is not taken lightly, as it signifies a breach that could harm the religious fabric of the community. The authority to declare someone a 'tankhaiya' rests solely with the Akal Takht Jathedar, supported by the four Singh Sahibaan, the guardians of Sikhism’s five holy takhts.
Once labeled a 'tankhaiya,' the individual is considered a sinner within the Sikh faith and must seek atonement, known as tankha, prescribed by the Akal Takht. This atonement involves performing humbling tasks like cleaning the Golden Temple, polishing shoes or assisting in the langar, the community kitchen. Only after completing this penance and seeking forgiveness from the Akal Takht can the sinner be forgiven. Refusal to comply with the atonement can lead to excommunication, a severe consequence that bars the individual from participating in religious ceremonies and entering gurdwaras. The process of atonement is deeply symbolic, offering the transgressor a chance to redeem themselves in the eyes of the community and restore their spiritual standing.
