Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the supreme temporal authority of the Sikh community, has withdrawn the title Fakhr-e-Qaum (Pride of the Community) conferred upon former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in 2011. A landmark decision was handed to Sukhbir Singh Badal along with other senior members of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in a series of symbolic punishments for being part of the controversial pardon that was granted to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim during the SAD government in 2015.
Sukhbir Badal’s resignation as President of SAD was accepted and Akal Takht ordered SAD to conduct presidential election within 6 months.
Punishments Announced
Jathedar Raghbir Singh issued these instructions to Sukhbir Singh Badal and all the other party members in attendance:
1. Bathroom Cleaning: On December 3, Sukhbir and other core members would clean the restrooms of Sri Darbar Sahib between 12 pm and 1 pm.
2. Service in Langar : After cleaning bathrooms, Sukhbir Singh Badal and other main members would then bathe, and serve their food in Langar.
3. Repentance: Sukhbir Singh Badal must listen to the recitation of Sri Sukhmani Sahib as part of their repentance.
4. Public Reconciliation: Sukhbir Singh Badal should sit outside Sri Darbar Sahib with a spear and placard announcing the crimes committed by him.
5. Symbolic Presentations: A presentation of Rs 11,000 should be made in a hundi and also Rs 11,000 donation should be presented in Golak religious donation box.
6. Tree Plantation: Order to leaders to plant and maintain 1.5 lakh saplings, with immediate order to plant 1.25 lakh trees.
7. Repayment of Funds: Funds wasted on advertisements during the tenure of the SAD government should be returned to the SGPC account with interest. Sukhbir Singh Badal and other leaders are responsible for repayment.
Revocation of Title
As part of the decision, the Akal Takht has posthumously withdrawn the Fakhr-e-Qaum title given to Parkash Singh Badal, which indicates a new change in the opinion of the Sikh community towards his legacy.
Reforms in Organizations
The Akal Takht has also issued orders that would help in the reorganization of the Shiromani Akali Dal:
- The election for the SAD president is to be held within six months.
- Steps to implement the new recruitment process in the party are to be taken immediately.
Admissions and Denials
- During the proceedings, Sukhbir Singh Badal made several admissions, acknowledging:
- Neglect of Sikh interests during the Akali government.
- Promotion and patronage of officers responsible for violence against Sikhs.
- Using his influence to grant the pardon to Gurmeet Ram Rahim and summoning Jathedars to his residence to discuss the matter.
- Supporting individuals linked to sacrilege incidents and the martyrdom of Sikhs during related protests.
- Mishandling the Behbal Kalan firing case.
- Misusing religious donation box funds for political publicity.
Other leaders, such as Prem Singh Chandumajra, also refuted the allegations. The senior figures Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Daljit Singh Cheema, Karnail Singh Panjoli, and Gurcharan Singh Grewal also denied the allegations while giving their testimonies.
Recordings were made of statements from former cabinet members of the 2007-2017 SAD government, executive committee members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in 2015, and head advocate of the SGPC Harjinder Singh Dhami as part of the proceeding.
Effect of the Ruling
This historic ruling by Sri Akal Takht Sahib addresses not just the spiritual accountability of leaders but also brings back faith to the Sikh community through financial restitution and organizational reforms. The directive sparked widespread discussion that highlighted the responsibility of the leadership towards Sikh values and principles.