Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains Cleans Devotees’ Footwear As Religious Punishment Ordered by Akal Takht

Chandigarh: Punjab education minister Harjot Singh Bains on Saturday cleaned devotees’ footwear at Gurdwara Shishganj Sahib in Anandpur Sahib town, district Ropar, as part of `religious punishment’ awarded to him by Akal Takht - the supreme temporal seat of Sikhs - for permitting a song and dance during a recent event held to commemorate Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom anniversary.

Declared ‘Tankhaiya’ for Religious Misconduct

It may be recalled that Bains was declared "tankhaiya" (guilty of religious misconduct) by the five Sikh high priest, including the officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, on August 6 last, for permitting song and dance during an event commemorating Guru Tegh Bahadur’s 350^th martyrdom anniversary – an act deemed a violation of Sikh "maryada’’ (code of conduct) in Srinagar on July 24, last.

Series of Religious Penances Ordered

Subsequently, as part of "punishment for religious misconduct’’ (tankhah), Bains was directed to perform a series of acts of "sewa" (community service) - which included a barefoot pilgrimage from Golden Temple to Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal, about half a km away and a visit Baba Bakala, a holy town about 40 km from Amritsar and Gurdwara Sishganj Sahib, Delhi.

Bains has also been directed to do two-day "sewa" (community service) including cleaning of footwear and sweeping the premises of Anandpur Sahib as a part of the atonement to offer ``deg’’ of Rs 1,100 and participate in ``ardas’’ seeking forgiveness.

It may be recalled that the Akal Takht had on July 26 summoned to appear and explain before the five Singh Sahiban (Sikh clergy) - the education minister Bains and the language department director, Jaswant Singh Zafar, whose department organised the said controversial event in Srinagar.

The said event had drawn the ire of the Sikh organisations who stated that the same turned a solemn event into an entertainment affair by the state government.

Minister, Singer Accept Mistake

Bains had accepted his mistake, the singer, Bir Singh, had also met the clergy and sought forgiveness while Zafar had requested Akal Takht for more time stating that he is currently abroad.