December 3, 2024: Sukhbir Singh Badal, the former president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and ex-Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, was seen arriving at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Monday, seated in a wheelchair, as he began serving a religious penance imposed by the Akal Takht. The spiritual authority of the Sikh community had found Badal guilty of making "wrong political decisions" during his party’s rule in Punjab between 2007 and 2017.

This punishment comes after the Akal Takht declared Badal, along with other senior Akali leaders, guilty of misconduct, specifically in relation to controversial political moves, such as the 2015 pardon granted to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. The decision to offer clemency to the controversial religious leader sparked significant outrage within the Sikh community and has been one of the key reasons behind the penance.

As part of the penance, Sukhbir Badal, who resigned as SAD president last month amidst mounting internal and external criticism, was seen wearing a plaque around his neck acknowledging his "misdeeds." In keeping with Sikh religious customs, he was also holding a spear, signifying his role in the community's affairs. Badal's appearance in the Golden Temple marked the beginning of the religious tasks he has been assigned by the Akal Takht, which included cleaning washrooms and washing utensils at the community kitchen, two acts traditionally associated with humility and repentance.

This punishment is not limited to Badal alone. Several senior SAD leaders have been similarly instructed to perform acts of atonement. Prominent among them is Bikram Singh Majithia, who was filmed washing utensils as part of his own penance. Additionally, leaders like Sucha Singh Langah, Hira Singh Gabria, and Daljit Singh Cheema were directed to clean washrooms at the Golden Temple for an hour, followed by washing utensils after a ritual bath. They were also instructed to participate in an hour-long 'kirtan' (devotional singing) session as part of their spiritual atonement.

The Akal Takht’s ruling and the accompanying punishments stem from a series of controversies that plagued the SAD during its tenure in power. The pardon for Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who was convicted of sexual misconduct, was widely criticized by Sikhs across the world and was a pivotal moment in the Akali Dal’s eventual downfall.

In another significant move, the Akal Takht also withdrew the prestigious 'Fakhre-e-Qaum' (Pride of the Community) title previously conferred upon former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who passed away in April 2023. The Akal Takht's ruling reflects the growing discontent within the Sikh community over the Akali Dal's decisions during its time in power.

The penance marks a turbulent moment for the Shiromani Akali Dal, which has struggled to regain its footing following its electoral defeats and internal discord. As a sign of solidarity with the religious decisions, the SAD Working Committee recently decided not to contest by-elections for four Assembly seats in Punjab.