In a significant development, the Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of Sikhs, has declared Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains a ‘Tankhaiya’—a person guilty of religious misconduct. The decision comes in the wake of a controversial dance performance held during a commemorative event in Srinagar to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
The event, organized by the Punjab Education Department under Bains’ leadership, drew sharp criticism for violating Sikh religious decorum, or ‘maryada.’ The Akal Takht issued a formal directive outlining a series of religious tasks that Bains must perform as spiritual atonement.
The directive was issued by the five Sikh high priests, led by Akal Takht’s officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj. As part of his penance, Harjot Bains is required to walk barefoot from Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) to Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal, a historical shrine situated roughly 500 meters away. He must also visit the holy town of Baba Bakala (around 40 km from Amritsar) and Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi.
In addition, Bains has been instructed to perform two days of ‘sewa’ (voluntary service) at Anandpur Sahib, which includes sweeping and cleaning the footwear area (Jora Ghar). Furthermore, he is to offer a ‘deg’ (traditional food offering) worth ₹1,100 and participate in an ‘ardas’ (prayer) seeking forgiveness.
