"He should resign immediately," says AAP MP Gurmeet Hayer after Akal Takht declares Sukhbir Badal a 'tankhaiya'

Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], August 31: AAP MP from Punjab, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, has called for the resignation of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal from his position as party leader following the Shri Akal Takht's declaration of Badal as 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct).

Hayer stated that if Badal has any sense of morality left, he should step down as the SAD chief immediately.

"I would like to say one thing—he has been declared a 'Tankhaiya' by the Akal Takht. Therefore, Sukhbir Singh Badal should resign immediately. The Shiromani Akali Dal has a long and proud history, and it's unfortunate that the head of this party is now a 'Tankhaiya'. If he has any morality left, I believe he should resign from his post following this decision by the Akal Takht," Hayer said.

The Akal Takht has found Shiromani Akali Dal Chief Sukhbir Singh Badal guilty of religious misconduct ('tankhaiya') for certain decisions made during his tenure as Deputy Chief Minister from 2007 to 2017.

This decision to declare Badal 'tankhaiya' was made by the five high priests of Shri Akal Takht on Friday. In announcing the decision, the Jathedar (Chief Priest) of Shri Akal Takht, Giani Raghbir Singh, stated that Badal, along with his fellow Sikh Cabinet Ministers, is required to submit written explanations within 15 days.

"A meeting of the Panj Singh Sahibs (the five high priests of Shri Akal Takht) was held at Shri Akal Takht Sahib Ji, where it was unanimously decided that Sukhbir Singh Badal, during his time as Deputy Chief Minister of the Punjab Government and President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, made certain decisions that damaged the image of 'Panthak Swaroop'. The situation of the Shiromani Akali Dal has worsened, and Sikh interests have suffered greatly. Therefore, his fellow Sikh Cabinet Ministers, who were in government from 2007 to 2017, need to submit their written explanations in this regard within 15 days to Shri Akal Takht," the Jathedar said.

The Chief Priest also mentioned that Badal must appear before the Takht and seek forgiveness for his "sins."

"Sukhbir Singh Badal must appear before Shri Akal Takht Sahib and seek forgiveness for his sins in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the Panj Singh Sahibs. He has been declared a 'Tankhaiya' by Shri Akal Takht Sahib," he said.

Sukhbir Singh Badal responded on his social media platform X, stating that he will soon appear before the Akal Takht Sahib.