Leaders of Shiromani Akali Dal, including former Punjab chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, performed various 'sewadar' at the Golden temple, as ordered by the Akal Takht on Tuesday. The SAD leaders were punished for mistakes they committed during their decade-long regime in the state from 2007.
The Akal Takht, the highest temporal power of Sikhs, announced the punishment on Monday after the leaders accepted charges against them. The Akal Takht excommunicated senior leaders of the party three months ago for religious misconduct.
As ordered by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was seen sitting in a wheelchair at the Golden Temple’s gates, with a plaque around his neck apologising for the mistakes, and a spear in his hand. Former MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also served similar punishment at the temple’s gates wearing the attire of sewadar. The leaders were also asked to clean the shoes and utensils of devotees for one hour as part of the punishment. The leaders must serve similar punishments for two days each at Takht Kesgarh Sahib, Takht Damdama Sahib, Darbar Sahib at Muktsar and Fatehgarh Sahib.
Arriving at the temple, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa told ANI, “The order for 'sewa' is an order for me. This is the order of the Almighty that has been pronounced for me by Akal Takht... I will sit by the gate, I will also offer my services at langar.”
The Akal Thakt also announced punishments for other members of the SAD cabinet and core committee of the party on Monday. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia washed utensils at the Golden Temple in Amritsar as part of the punishment.
The Sikh clergy ordered the punishments on Monday for the misdeeds SAD committed during their regime from 2007-2017. The charges were on five counts, including for granting pardon to controversial Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim on charges of blasphemy. The clergy also ordered the withdrawal of 'Fakhre-e-Qaum' title bestowed upon late Parkash Singh Badal, father of Sukhbir Singh Badal.
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The Akal Thakt also ordered SAD’s working committee to accept Badal resignation from the party’s president post. They directed SAD to conduct an election for electing new president and other office-bearers for the party.