Wearing plaque around his neck, Sukhbir Singh Badal arrives at Golden Temple on first day of his penance

NEW DELHI: Sukhbir Singh Badal, the former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president, arrived at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Tuesday morning to begin his penance.
Due to a fractured leg, he was seated in a wheelchair and wore a plaque around his neck.

Following his designation as a 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) by Akal Takht in August, Badal, who held the position of Punjab's deputy chief minister from 2007 to 2017, will undertake 'sewadar' duties, including washing utensils, cleaning shoes and bathrooms at the Golden Temple.
The Akal Takht imposed these sanctions due to alleged "mistakes" and certain decisions made during SAD's governance in Punjab between 2007 and 2017.
The five high priests, led by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, instructed the SAD working committee to accept Sukhbir Badal's resignation as party chief. Additionally, they revoked the 'Fakhar-e-Quam' title previously awarded to former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.

As part of the 'tankhah', the Sikh clergy stipulated that Sukhbir Singh Badal must clean bathrooms from 12pm to 1pm on December 3, whilst wearing a plaque.
Giani Raghbir Singh announced that Sukhbir Badal and cabinet ministers must provide written explanations within 15 days.
"A meeting of the Panj Singh Sahibs (five high priests of the Shri Akal Takht) was held at the Shri Akal Takht Sahibji in which it was unanimously decided that Sukhbir Singh Badal, as the deputy chief minister of the Punjab government and president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, took some decisions which have harmed the image of 'Panthak Swaroop'. The situation of Shiromani Akali Dal has deteriorated and Sikh interests have suffered a lot. Therefore, his partner Sikh cabinet ministers, who were present in the government from 2007 to 2017, need to submit their written explanations in this regard within 15 days before the Shri Akal Takht," he said.
Former MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa stated, "The order for 'sewa' is an order for me. This is the order of the Almighty that has been pronounced for me by Akal Takht. I will sit by the gate, I will also offer my services at 'langar'."
Sukhbir Badal has acknowledged the charges. Religious punishments were also issued to other SAD associates, including Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Sucha Singh Langah, Hira Singh Gabaria and Balwinder Singh Bhundar.