Who Is Declared 'Tankhaiya'? As Sukhbir Badal Serves Penance, Know All About Punishments Meted Out By Sikh Clergy

Ex- deputy chief minister of Punjab and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Prakash Singh Badal got declared as 'tankhaiya' by the five Sikh priests for the mistakes that he committed during 2007 and 2017, when the party was in power with the BJP. The SAD leader performed the duty of a 'sewadar' or volunteer outside the Golden Temple in his wheelchair, serving his punishment.

What is 'Tankhaiya' ?
'Tankhah' is considered as a serious offence in Sikhism and several of the prominent personalities before Badal were accused of the religious misconduct. The punishment under such cases are given by the highest religious authority. A Sikh is declared 'tankhaiya' by the Jathedar of the Akal Takht if he breaks the Sikh rehat maryada (code of conduct) or takes part in activities against the community.

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Upon declared 'Tankhaiya', a person is expected to appear before the Takht in front of the Sikh community leaders and apologise for their deeds as confession is considered as an important element in the whole process. The Jathedar then decides the punishment for the accused after taking suggestions from the Five High Priests.

The English translation of the rehat maryada provided by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) suggests, “Any Sikh who has committed any default in the observance of the Sikh discipline should approach the nearby Sikh congregation and make a confession of his lapse standing before the congregation.”

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Sukhbir Badal was mainly accused of pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in a blasphemy case when he was in power and failing to punish those responsible for 2015 sacrilege incidents. Several of the SAD leaders accepted that the government failed to punish those who insulted the sentiments of Sikhs in the state. Sukhbir Badal later admitted to the charges against him and presented himself before the akal takht.