Sri Akal Takht Sahib Meeting Live: Sukhbir Badal admits granting pardon to Ram Rahim, mishandling sacrilege cases

PTC Web Desk: A significant meeting of five Sikh high priests was held at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, located at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab. The meeting focused on key issues, including the controversial pardon granted to Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim and the handling of sacrilege incidents during the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) government’s tenure. As a result, Sukhbir Singh Badal and other Sikh ministers from his administration are now facing religious punishment for their involvement in these contentious matters.

Sukhbir Singh Badal admits mistakes

Sukhbir Singh Badal has publicly acknowledged his mistakes, including the controversial pardon for Gurmeet Ram Rahim and his mishandling of sacrilege cases. Despite his admission, former SAD leader Prem Singh Chandumajra denied all allegations against him, calling them unfounded.

Parminder Singh Dhindsa confesses wrongdoing

Akali leader Parminder Singh Dhindsa admitted his error in supporting and promoting officials involved in the investigation of sacrilege cases. Dhindsa stated, “Yes, I committed this mistake.”

Sri Akal Takht Sahib reprimands Chandumajra

Sri Akal Takht Sahib took a firm stance against Prem Singh Chandumajra after he denied the allegations against him. The Jathedar presented a newspaper clipping showing Chandumajra’s previous statement, questioning how he could now retract it. Chandumajra, however, disputed the statement, claiming he had issued a notice contesting its publication.

Sucha Singh Langah calls for equal treatment

Sucha Singh Langa urged the Jathedar to treat all involved, including Cabinet members, equally. “We were all part of the same Cabinet, and therefore, we should stand together,” he argued.

Bikram Singh Majithia offers apology

Bikram Singh Majithia, a former Cabinet minister from 2012 to 2017, offered a heartfelt apology for his role in the Cabinet. He clarified, “While I was not part of the Cabinet from 2007 to 2009, I served from 2012 to 2017. Although I was not involved in any meetings regarding pardons or related issues, I accept my mistake for being part of the Cabinet and sincerely apologise.”

Balwinder Singh Bhunder denies allegations

Balwinder Singh Bhunder, acting president of SAD, strongly rejected accusations that he hosted meetings with Dera Sacha Sauda leaders. He refuted the claims, stating, “These allegations are 200% false. The people naming me cannot even identify my home address. Therefore, these accusations are baseless.”

SAD leader Janmeja Singh said the mistakes confessed by Sukhbir Singh Badal were not part of the Cabinet agenda. However, he did not express regret over them, which was why all of them were responsible for it.

The meeting also included former ministers from the SAD government (2007-2017), members of the 2015 Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) executive, and the current SGPC President, Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami.

Sukhbir Singh Badal, who attended the meeting in a wheelchair due to a leg fracture, had earlier submitted a letter to Sri Akal Takht Sahib, requesting a final verdict on his punishment after being declared "Tankhaiya" (a religious offender) in August. His role in several controversial incidents, including the pardon granted to Ram Rahim and his handling of sacrilege cases, has drawn significant criticism.

Sukhbir Singh Badal had earlier appealed to Sri Akal Takht Sahib for a swift resolution to his case, stating that more than three months had passed since his Tankhaiya declaration, and he was eager to focus on combating anti-Sikh forces.

The ongoing controversy stems from various actions during his tenure, including the pardon for Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who sparked outrage in 2007 by mimicking Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s attire and rituals. Another major issue is the mishandling of the sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in 2015, which led to widespread unrest in Punjab. Additionally, the controversial appointment of Sumedh Saini as Punjab’s DGP further aggravated tensions with the Sikh community.

Allegations against Sukhbir Singh Badal

Sukhbir Singh Badal was declared Tankhaiya in July 2024 by Jathedar Giani Raghubir Singh, citing several significant missteps during his tenure as Deputy Chief Minister and president of the SAD. Key allegations include:

Granting pardon to Gurmeet Ram Rahim: In 2007, Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim sparked controversy by mimicking Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s attire and rituals, leading to protests. Although a police case was filed, it was later withdrawn by the Akali government, and Sukhbir Singh Badal allegedly facilitated a pardon for Ram Rahim, which was later revoked after widespread protests.

Sacrilege incidents: The theft and subsequent sacrilege of a copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in 2015 led to unrest in Punjab. Critics allege that Sukhbir Singh Badal, then Home Minister, failed to ensure a proper investigation and bring the culprits to justice.

Appointment of Sumedh Saini as Punjab DGP: The appointment of Sumedh Saini, a controversial figure, as the state’s DGP further alienated the Sikh community due to allegations of false encounters and extrajudicial killings during his tenure.

Dissenting voices within SAD, including prominent leaders such as Prem Singh Chandumajra, Bibi Jagir Kaur, and Parminder Singh Dhindsa, have accused Sukhbir Singh Badal of undermining Sikh values. In July 2024, they presented a memorandum to Sri Akal Takht Sahib calling for action against him.