Sukhbir Singh Badal Declared ‘Tankhaiya’ Amid Ongoing Dispute Over Hukamnama

Patna: The row between Takht Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib intensified on Saturday as the Panch Pyaras formally declared former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Akali Dal chief, Sukhbir Singh Badal, as Tankhaiya — a term denoting religious misconduct — for failing to comply with a series of religious summons.

The declaration was made during a meeting chaired by Jathedar Giani Baldev Singh, alongside four other religious authorities: Additional Chief Granthis Giani Dilip Singh and Bhai Gurudayal Singh, Senior Meet Granthi Giani Parshuram Singh, and Meet Granthi Bhai Amarjit Singh.

Sukhbir Badal had been issued multiple deadlines — an initial ten-day notice, followed by a 24-hour grace period, and then an extension of 20 days — to present himself before the Panch Pyaras at Takht Patna Sahib and respond to accusations tied to a controversial Hukamnama. His failure to appear was deemed a breach of Panthic decorum, prompting Saturday’s decision.

The conflict stems from an earlier Hukamnama issued by Takht Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib, which named Badal as a conspirator and directed him to submit to religious questioning. Tensions escalated following the decision by Sri Akal Takht Sahib to reinstate Ranjit Singh, the former dismissed Jathedar of Patna Sahib — a move that has not sat well with religious authorities in Patna.

The discord reached a flashpoint on May 21 when, in an emergency meeting, the Panch Pyaras at Patna Sahib declared Giani Kuldeep Singh Gadraj (Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib) and Jathedar Giani Baba Tek Singh (Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda) as Tankhaiya for allegedly violating three Hukamnamas issued by Patna Sahib.