Akal Takht on Monday declared former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh a ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) for exonerating Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on September 24, 2015, of the charges of hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community.
The ‘tankhah’ was pronounced by acting Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj following a meeting of the five Sikh high priests here.
Barely three weeks after Ram Rahim was exonerated, Akal Takht had on October 16, 2015, withdrawn the controversial “hukamnama” (edict) granting the pardon. Though Giani Gurbachan had tendered an apology long ago, a former Akal Takht Jathedar had made it mandatory for him to seek an apology in front of the highest temporal seats of the Sikhs.
In 2007, the Dera Sacha Sauda chief was accused by the Sikh clergy of attiring himself as Guru Gobind Singh during a congregation at the outfit’s headquarters in Sirsa. This led to violent clashes between dera followers and Sikhs in parts of Punjab.
Akal Takht today also pronounced ‘tankhah’ to Guru Nanak Dev University Vice-Chancellor Karamjit Singh, senior Akali Dal leader Virsa Singh Valtoha, Punjab Language Department Director Jaswant Singh and Sikh preacher Harinder Singh.