Sukhbir Singh Badal: The punishment given to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal by the Akal Takht has created a stir in the political and religious world. Sukhbir Singh Badal arrived at the Golden Temple in Amritsar today on a wheelchair, with a plaque of pardon hanging around his neck, and a lance in his hand. Under this punishment, he has been ordered to work as a sevadar in the Golden Temple, where he will do duty at the door and perform langar seva.
Reason for punishment by Akal Takht:This punishment has been given by the Akal Takht citing the 'mistakes' committed by the Shiromani Akali Dal and its government between 2007 and 2017. The Takht has made several allegations against Sukhbir Singh Badal, the most prominent of which was that he withdrew a case filed against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in Salabatpura in 2007. This was seen by the religious community as forgiving Ram Rahim. Apart from this, Badal was also accused of betraying his religion for vote bank and not getting the Bargari sacrilege case investigated properly.
Details of punishment and relaxations given in sentence:Sukhbir Singh Badal has been ordered to do duty outside the clock tower of Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) for 2 days. After this, he will have to serve as a sevadar in other gurdwaras as well. First, he will serve for 2 days in Sri Darbar Sahib, then 2 days in Sri Keshgarh Sahib, 2 days in Sri Damdama Sahib Talwandi Sabo, 2 days in Sri Muktsar Sahib, and 2 days in Sri Fatehgarh Sahib with a pardon plaque around his neck and a lance in his hand.However, Sukhbir Singh Badal has a leg injury, and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa is not well, so they have been exempted from physically strenuous tasks like washing washrooms of gurdwaras and cleaning utensils in langar halls. Instead, they will do the duty of sevadar sitting on a wheelchair.
Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa's punishment:Not only Sukhbir Singh Badal, but other leaders of Shiromani Akali Dal are also facing this punishment. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also accepted his punishment and said that he has to perform this service considering it as an order of God. He too will perform his duty in Gurudwaras with a plaque of forgiveness around his neck and a lance in his hand.
Religious politics and responsibility:This punishment of Sukhbir Singh Badal gives an important political and religious message that when wrong decisions are taken by a leader on issues related to religion, he can be held accountable before the religious leadership. This punishment given by Akal Takht is not only a warning to the leaders of Shiromani Akali Dal, but also tells that the relationship between religion and politics should be sensitive and responsible.
Conclusion:This case of Sukhbir Singh Badal's punishment once again highlights the relationship between politics and religion. The punishment given by Akal Takht proved that any lapse of responsibility and morality on the part of religion is not easily forgiven. In the times to come, this incident will give a new message to political leaders that their decisions are important not only from political but also from religious point of view.
