The Akal Takht has recently imposed a religious and political punishment on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal and his colleagues. This decision has raised concerns about the growing intersection between religious authority and political affairs, leading to a disturbing blurring of lines between faith and politics.

Religious and Political Punishments

• The Akal Takht’s decision to punish Mr. Badal stems from allegations of misconduct during his tenure as the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab between 2007 and 2017.
• Allegations: A controversial unilateral pardon to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the Sirsa dera chief, in September 2015.
  • Theft of a ‘bir (copy)’ of the Guru Ganth Sahib.
  • Putting up handwritten sacrilegious posters.

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Secularism and Democratic Principles Under Threat

• Secularism:  It means being “separate” from religion or having no religious basis.
• Against Principles of Secularism: The direct involvement of a religious body in the management and decisions of a political party contravenes the principles of secular governance, as outlined in India’s Constitution.
• Political Parties and Religion: It also raises questions about the autonomy of political parties and their ability to operate free from religious influence.
• Implications: In a diverse country like India, a political party cannot support just one religion, as it would also impinge upon the democratic structure of the country.
  • The rights of political party members who are not part of that religion are undermined.
  • Political parties must be accountable to the people rather than a particular religious authority.
• Intervention in Internal Working: The Akal Takht also called for Badal’s removal as SAD president and told the party to form a committee to start a membership drive and hold elections for office-bearers within six months.
  • Setting a Wrong Precedent: The SAD is a registered political party, governed by the country’s laws and the Election Commission of India. It’s concerning that the party seems to follow religious instructions.

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Conclusion

While the Akal Takht has the right to oversee religious matters within the Sikh community, its intervention in political decisions is deeply problematic. India’s secular principles must be upheld, and the separation of religious and political spheres should be maintained to ensure a healthy democratic system.