Emerged as a troublemaker for the ruling regime, especially the Shiromani Akali Dal, in the recent past, Punjab’s firebrand Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia has to undergo ‘religious penance’ at the five Sikh temporal seats (Takhts).
Troubles pored over Majithia after he distorted a religious hymn of Guru Gobind Singh during a political rally seeking supports in favour of combine candidate from Amritsar Arun Jaitley.
One of five temporal seats, Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Maharashtra, had held Majithia “guilty of religious misconduct for distorting words of compositions of the Sikh Gurus, Gurbani, during an election rally,” and declared him ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct).
After Majithia sought an apology from the five high priests (jathedars) of these temporal seats, they met at the Akal Takht in Amritsar (the highest Sikh temporal seat) on Thursday to consider Majithia’s unconditional apology.
Nanded Takht had already made it clear that even as it had accepted Majithia’s apology, he would be exonerated only after he performs ‘tankha’ (religious punishment), for which Majithia will have to appear in person before the Takht.
As per their decision on Thursday, Majithia has been asked to carry out voluntary service (sewa) at each of the five Takhts for three days each, said Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbhachan Singh.
The Sikhs’ five takhts are Akal Takht (Amritsar), Takht Keshgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib-Punjab), Takht Hazur Sahib (Nanded-Maharashtra), Takht Patna Sahib (Patna-Bihar) and Takht Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo-Punjab).
Majithia has been asked to organise religious prayers at the Akal Takht after doing penance, and he has also been asked to organise a “langar” (free community kitchen).
Majithia had distorted a religious hymn in Amritsar on April 24 by including Jaitley’s name in it while seeking vote for him.
Following which, complaints were made to the high priests that Majithia had hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs. Subsequent to the orders of the high priests, Majithia told the media here he would carry out the directions.