Akal Takht Declares AAP MLA Giaspura 'Tankhaiya' as 12 MLAs Apologiseਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਆਪ ਵਿਧਾਇਕ ਗਿਆਸਪੁਰਾ ਤਨਖ਼ਾਹੀਆ ਕਰਾਰ, 12 ਵਿਧਾਇਕਾਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਮੁਆਫ਼ੀ

The Akal Takht on Friday, October 16, declared Aam Aadmi Party MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura a "tankhaiya", a Sikh found guilty of religious misconduct. The decision was taken by the five Singh Sahibans led by acting Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj. It followed his remarks outside the Akal Takht Secretariat on October 12, when he said he had been kept out because he is Dalit. The Akal Takht rejects that claim.

What did the Akal Takht decide?

According to the New Indian Express and Punjab News Express, the high priests asked the Sikh community not to keep any association with Giaspura, who represents Payal in Ludhiana district. The Punjab News Express notes that a tankhaiya declaration is a religious disciplinary finding. It is not a criminal conviction and should not automatically be equated with formal excommunication.

How did the dispute begin?

On October 12 an AAP delegation led by Amritsar South MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar went to the Secretariat with a memorandum about Delhi Police entering Gurdwara Bangla Sahib on October 10. The Tribune reported that Giaspura was stopped at the entrance and told the media that he was denied entry on the Jathedar's directions because of his caste. Akal Takht media adviser Jaskaran Singh rejected this, saying the restriction was due to Giaspura's earlier objectionable remarks about Sikh institutions and the Jathedar. He pointed out that two Dalit MLAs in the same delegation, Dalbir Singh and Kulwant Singh, entered without any problem.

What did the other AAP MLAs do?

The Secretariat then summoned 15 AAP MLAs and constituency in-charges, saying the delegation had agreed to clarify that no caste discrimination happened but did not do so. The hearing was moved from October 15 because of the Punjab bandh. On Friday the New Indian Express reported that twelve MLAs and leaders appeared before Gargajj and Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Tek Singh Dhanuala and gave a joint written apology. Those named by the Punjab News Express include Inderbir Singh Nijjar, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Baljinder Kaur, Jeevanjot Kaur, Sarwan Singh Dhun and Manjinder Singh Lalpura. They said nobody is ever barred from the Akal Takht because of caste, race or colour, called Giaspura's remarks his personal view, and admitted they should have said so publicly on October 12. The Jathedar told them to issue a public clarification.

What else has happened?

The New Indian Express reported that the Golden Temple management has also filed a police complaint with the Amritsar Police Commissioner against Giaspura, alleging hurt religious sentiments and damage to the reputation of Sikh institutions through false allegations. The reports reviewed did not carry a response from Giaspura to the tankhaiya declaration.

Why does it matter?

The row puts the ruling AAP in an awkward position with Sikh religious authorities at a time when the Akal Takht Jathedar has been sharply critical of the Mann government over drugs and the killing of activist Parvinder Singh Jhota. It also brings caste and access to Sikh institutions into a public argument, which the Akal Takht says it has settled by pointing to the open-door principle at Darbar Sahib.

What does tankhaiya mean?

A tankhaiya is a Sikh who the Akal Takht finds guilty of a religious lapse and who is required to accept a religious penalty, called tankhah, to be restored to the community's good standing.

Has Manwinder Singh Giaspura lost his Assembly seat?

No. The declaration is a religious finding by the Akal Takht and has no effect on his seat as MLA from Payal.

Why was Giaspura stopped at the Akal Takht Secretariat?

The Akal Takht says the Jathedar had directed that he be kept out because of his past objectionable remarks about Sikh institutions, not because of his caste. Giaspura alleged caste discrimination.