Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal submitted to a religious punishment, known as ‘tankhah,’ at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Sunday. The directive, issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib on Monday, was for the mistakes committed by the SAD government in Punjab during Sukhbir's tenure as Deputy Chief Minister. Along with performing squats and serving as a ‘sewadar,’ Badal also had the prestigious title of ‘Fakhre-e-Qaum’ stripped from his late father, Parkash Singh Badal. This move marks a significant moment of accountability in Punjab's political landscape.
The former chief of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Sukhbir Singh Badal, arrived at the Golden Temple on Tuesday to perform religious punishment after being declared guilty of religious misconduct by the Sikh clergy. He was seen wearing a plaque around his neck and sitting in a wheelchair due to a fractured leg as he carried out his penance. The punishment was directed by the Akal Takht for the mistakes committed by the SAD government during its term from 2007 to 2017, and also involved the resignation of Sukhbir Badal as party chief. Other leaders were also given religious punishments.