Shiromani Akali Dal-Badal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday was pronounced guilty of religious misconduct by Akal Takhat, the highest temporal authority of the Sikhs, which declared him a ‘tankhaiya’ (being guilty of religious misconduct) during the ten-year rule of the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance between 2007 and 2017.
Sukhbir has been asked to atone for his “misconduct” and given 15 days for it. He has “humbly” accepted the verdict as a “true Sikh”. In fact, he had already tendered an unconditional apology voluntarily about two months ago.
In the past also several political leaders have been declared ‘tankhaiyas’, who later atoned for their misconduct. Maharaja Ranjeet Singh was also declared ‘tankhaiya’ once and he also appeared before the Akal Takhat.
In modern times, former Union Home Minister Late Buta Singh and former Chief Minister Late Surjit Singh Barnala were also declared ‘tankhaiya’ and they also atoned for their “misconduct”.
Sukhbir Badal had himself voluntarily apologised to the Akal Takhat for his various “mistakes”, much before the Akal Takhat finally declared him a ‘tankkhaiya’.
As a “true Sikh” he will atone for his “misconduct”. But, will his political troubles end there remains a million dollar question. Sukhbir is no ordinary Sikh but the leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal, a political party that was formed after a long ‘panthic’ struggle over 100 years ago.
Moreover his situation is completely different from that of Buta Singh and Surjit Singh Barnala. When they “atoned” for their “misconduct”, they were individual leaders without much stakes left in politics.
Sukhbir is in the midst of his political career. The Akal Takhat pronouncing him “guilty” of religious “misconduct” may have significant bearing on his political career, particularly as the president of a ‘Panthic Party’ that was borne out of a ‘Panthic movement’.
He had already anticipated this decision as just a day ahead of the Akal Takhat’s scheduled verdict in his case, Sukhbir had appointed a (Badal) family loyalist Balwinder Singh Bhunder as the ‘Working President’ of the party.
There is a likelihood of pressure mounting up on Sukhbir to quit as the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal after having been declared as a ‘tankhaiya’. After all, his critics will raise the “moral question” that will it be morally advisable for someone having been declared a ‘tankhaiya’ to head a Panthic party like the Shiromani Akali Dal.
While the demand for his resignation is not new as the rebels in the party, who have since been expelled have already been demanding that, there will be fresh assault on his leadership after the Akal Takhat verdict from both Akali and non Akali quarters. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party has already mounted an attack on him seeking his resignation as the SAD president.
Sukhbir does not have much to bank and fall back upon. He may not expect much sympathy from any quarter anymore. Sukhbir has complete control over the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhik Committee (SGPC), which appoints the Akal Takhat Jatehdar. In a way, the Akal Takhat Jathedar is indirectly his own appointee.
However, given the past bitter experience like the one when the then Akal Takhat Jathedar “pardoned” the Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, at his behest, no Akal Takhat Jathedar would like to be seen doing anything out of way even if it may be Sukhbir himself.
Sukhbir also has another disadvantage that he does not have any outside support. When the all-powerful Gurcharan Singh Tohra rebelled against his father Parkash Singh Badal in 1998, he (the senior Badal) had the unconditional support of the Bharatiya Janata Party, which was in power at the centre. Besides, the senior Badal was himself the Chief Minister and in control of not only the party but also the government.
Sukhbir is neither in power in the state, nor does he have any outside support from anywhere. Sukhbir’s political situation is quite unenviable right now. He has burnt his bridges with the BJP. He cannot afford to go along with the Congress or the Aam Aadmi Party. He is faced with a serious rebellion to his leadership.
The Akal Takhat verdict pronouncing him guilty may end up providing some “cathartic” relief to the beleaguered leader. Punjabis are known to be quite a “forgiving community”. Once they realize that Sukhbir is sincerely and genuinely apologetic over his various “errors” of “omission and commission” whether voluntary or involuntary, they may give him a second chance.
If the Punjabis could forgive the Congress after the Operation Bluestar and the anti-Sikh Delhi riots which took place in the aftermath of the assassination of Ms Indira Gandhi at the hands of her own Sikh bodyguards, there is no reason that they may not forgive Sukhbir.
That way, the Akal Takhat verdict may mark the beginning of the end for his political troubles, although right now it appears to be an extremely and exaggeratedly “optimistic” proposition.
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