Forty Sikh leaders from Congress and Akali Dal awarded Tankhah

Amritsar, April 17: Forty Sikh leaders from the Congress and the Akali Dal who presented themselves at Akal Takht today were awarded religious punishment (tankhah) for going to Dera Sacha Sauda to seek votes during the last Assembly elections.

They have been directed to perform ‘seva’ at the gurdwaras in their respective constituencies for ten days and then seek forgiveness as per the Sikh tradition.

Summons had been issued to 44 leaders. Former chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Arjan Singh, son of Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, were among the four absentees. It may be mentioned that Arjan is studying in USA.

These leaders also included All India Youth Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and cabinet minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot.