Punjab bypolls: Akal Takht bars Sukhbir Badal from poll activity

In a significant setback for the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh has confirmed that party president Sukhbir Singh Badal cannot engage in political activities until the ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment) is pronounced and fulfilled. This ruling dampens SAD’s hopes of leading the party in the upcoming Gidderbaha bypoll, scheduled for November 13, with the nomination deadline set for October 25. SAD has called an emergency meeting of its Working Committee and District Presidents on October 24 at 12:00 pm in Chandigarh to discuss the evolving political situation, chaired by senior party leadership. The jathedar reiterated that under Sikh tenets, a ‘tankhaiah’ cannot participate in any activities until they receive and comply with their ‘tankhah’ from the Akal Takht. The decision on Sukhbir’s case remains pending as the assembly of the five high priests to determine the quantum of punishment is yet to occur, with a meeting expected after Diwali. On August 30, Sukhbir was declared ‘tankhaiah’ for religious misconduct linked to his tenure as Home Minister and Deputy CM during 2007-2017. Recently, a SAD delegation approached the jathedar to seek permission for Sukhbir’s leadership in the bypoll, but no final decision was made.

Sukhbir’s potential candidacy in the Gidderbaha bypoll, historically associated with his father Parkash Singh Badal, was seen as a key opportunity for SAD’s revival, mirroring their success in the 1995 Gidderbaha bypoll which led to the party’s victory in 1997. However, the jathedar has made it clear that no exception will be granted until the ‘tankhah’ process is completed.