Akal Takht pronounces 'Tankhah' to Haryana Sikh Leader

AMRITSAR: Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, on Tuesday prounonced "Tankhah" (religous punishment) to Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (HSGPC) leader Jagdish Singh Jhinda who was earlier declared a 'Tankhayia alongwith his associates.

The Sikh Clergy headed Jatehdar Akal Takht Gyani Gurbachan Singh and repersented by other high priests Jatehdar Takht Damdama Sahib Gyani Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Jatehdar Takht Kesgarh Sahib Gyani Tarlochan Singh, Jatehdar Takht Patna Sahib Gyani Iqbal Singh and Head Priest Golden Temple Gyani Jaswinder Singh announced the Tankhah(Punishment) to the Haryana Sikh leaders.

The edict issued from Akal Takht directed Jhinda and his four associates to clean shoes, wash utensils of Sikh devotees, listen Shabad Kirtan (religious hymns) one hour for five days each at four places in Punjab and Haryana including Takht Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda, Takht Kesgarh Sahib at Anandpur, Akal Takht Amritsar and Chhewin Patshahi Gurdwara at Kurukshetra in Haryana.

Edict also directed Jhinda and his associates to offer Karah Parshad (Holy Communion) Rs. 500 each in all the four places and on twentieth day and thereafter they all would again appear at Akal Takht to express apology as what they did in past and would again offer Rs. 1100/- for Karah Parshad.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-news/27550-akal-takht-pronounces-tankhah-haryana-sikh.html

It is pertinent to mention here that last month on October 14. Akal Takht had declared HSGPC leader Jagdish Singh Jhinda and his four associates guilty for religious misconduct and at the same time announced that quantum of punishment would be pronounced on November 17 (today).

However, Jhinda after the edict of Akal Takht said,” I welcome the decision of holy Akal Takht since this is supreme body for Sikh community as well as for him. Every decision of Akal Takht is like the decision of Almighty. Punishment pronounced by Akal Takht acceptable to him and his associates”.

Jhinda and his associates-Avtaar Singh Chakku, Hazoor Singh Nambardar, Kanwaljit Singh, Joga Singh were allegedly accountable for threatening the Sikh priest on pistol point and then ordered him to vacate the Gurdwara last month on September 13.

It may be mentioned here that on September 13 Jhinda alongwith his associates allegedly took over the famous Chhewin Patshahi Gurdwara at Kurukshetra which was soon after got freed by the SGPC president Makkar when he reached on the spot along with his task force.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=27550

But Jhinda in his defense had said that it was all rumors, infact he along with his associates went to the Gurdwara to perform sewa (selfless service) which was distorted by the section of media, otherwise there was no truth in the entire episode.

Jhinda also told the Sikh clergy that on that during the sewa, he had offered Rs. 10, 000 in the Gurdwara Golakh (treasury) and at no where point didn’t rise for any kind of violation of Sikh code of conducts.

 
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Now here is something to learn from this article. It does not matter whether one agrees or disagrees with the SGPC. As Sikhs we should remember that the Sikh Rehat Maryada requires that punishment for transgressions not be severe, and the the panth not be obdurate when forgiveness is sought.

Metered out punishment by SGPC is most likely going to be a turning point for the better. With the humiliation that goes along with it, one can learn to be more responsible, more careful and more compassionate. If that doesn't happen, then one's ego will take him thru the tests and trials of extremity.

Mithat Nivi Nanaka, Gun Changiyaia Tat.