Sukhbir Badal case: Quantum of sentence matters more than verdict, say experts

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 30

Sukhbir Singh Badal today became the first serving president of the Shiromani Akali Dal to join the dubious list of Akali and Congress leaders, religious heads and scholars declared ‘tankhaiya’ by Akal Takht.

I bow my head and accept the order issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest shrine of Miri Piri. According to the order, I will soon appear in front of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and apologise. — Sukhbir Singh Badal on X

Sukhbir cancels all programmes

• After SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was declared a ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct), he cancelled all his programmes for the next few days
• Sources close to the SAD chief said he was present at his residence in Badal village when the verdict was pronounced
• “Sukhbir was scheduled to visit Gurdaspur on Saturday for two programmes. Besides, he was scheduled to hold meetings for Gidderbaha bypoll in the coming days, which all now stand cancelled,” said a source

Maharaja Ranjit Singh was also guilty of religious misconduct

• In the past, a number of Akali leaders like Master Tara Singh, Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi, Surjit Singh Barnala, besides Jassa Singh Ramgharia and Sant Fateh Singh, were declared ‘tankhaiya’
• Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Nihang Baba Santa Singh, ex-Army chief Subegh Singh, Union Minister Buta Singh and Sikh scholars

  Dr Piara Singh and Dr Pishora Singh were also declared guilty of religious misconduct

Sikh historians and experts say the verdict was on the expected lines but it is the quantum of the sentence that will determine the credible ‘apolitical’ status of Akal Takht, the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs. Also, they feel, it will set the tone for the future of the Akali Dal in the state vis-a-vis the emergence of Sikh hardliners like Amritpal Singh.

The experts feel that Akal Takht’s real test lies in examining the role of the late CM Parkash Singh Badal in the “mistakes” committed during his regime. Akal Takht had bestowed the Fakhr-e-Qaum award on Badal in December 2011 for his service to Sikhism and Punjab. However, the admission of guilt by his son Sukhbir and other Akali leaders for the decisions taken 2007 onwards implicates Badal as he was the Chief Minister of the state from 2007 to 2017.

Sikh historian Jagtar Singh said today’s verdict was just the beginning and the main focus was on the quantum of the sentence. “The charges against Sukhbir and others are grave. It remains to be seen if they will get away with cleaning of utensils or get a severe punishment, including resignation from the SAD or even a ban of some years on contesting elections,” he said.

Ajay Pal Singh Brar, who runs Misl-Satluj, a socio-political organisation, also focused on the quantum of the sentence: “Will it satisfy the Sikh sangat or not is the main point here.” Besides Sukhbir, Akal Takht may have to set an example for all Akali leaders, who were part of the “wrong” decisions, unwittingly or otherwise.

A number of other experts, who don’t wish to be quoted, said the verdict and the subsequent sentencing might mark a watershed moment in the Akali politics. They feel the Akali Dal may see a resurgence in the state politics if the Sikh sangat accepts the punishment given to the ‘tankhaiyas’.