Akal Takht Issues Punishment For SAD Leader, GNDU VC

Amritsar- The Akal Takht on Monday pronounced 'tankhah' – a religious punishment – for former MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha, former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, and GNDU vice-chancellor Karamjit Singh.

The pronouncements were made following a meeting of the five 'Singh Sahiban' at the Akal Takht Sahib secretariat.

The meeting was presided over by Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, acting jathedar of Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, and jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib.

The meeting was attended by jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Tek Sing, the granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, Giani Kewal Singh, the head granthi of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Joginder Singh, and Giani Mangal Singh, panj piara of Akal Takht Sahib, according to an official statement.

At the meeting, former jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Gurbachan Singh, Akali Dal leader Virsa Singh Valtoha, Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr Karamjit Singh, Jaswant Singh, director of Bhasha Vibhag Punjab, and Sikh preacher Bhai Harinder Singh of Nirvair Khalsa Jatha UK appeared before the Takht.

All of them admitted their“mistakes” and sought forgiveness, after which, in line with 'panthic' tradition and 'maryada', the five Singh Sahiban imposed religious punishments.

Former Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh sought forgiveness for the mistake of granting pardon to Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015, a decision which saw backlash from the Sikh community.

The five Singh Sahiban accepted his apology and imposed a 'tankhah' that he shall wash utensils and dust footwear for one hour each for two days at the Golden Temple.

For two days, recite 'Japji Sahib', 'Asa Di Vaar', and 'Jaap Sahib' in addition to 'Nitnem'. Upon completion, offer 'Karah Parshad' worth Rs 1,100 and deposit Rs 1,100 in the 'golak' before 'ardas' (prayer) at the Akal Takht Sahib.

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