The five Singh Sahibans at Sri Akal Takht Sahib have declared Aam Aadmi Party MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura, who represents the Payal constituency in Ludhiana district, a ‘tankhaiya’, a term used for someone found guilty of religious misconduct in Sikh tradition.
The decision was taken during a meeting held on Friday under the leadership of Acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj. According to the directive, the Sikh community has been asked not to maintain any association with Giaspura, and the action follows remarks he reportedly made about the Jathedar and Sikh institutions.
The action followed a controversy over Giaspura’s statements outside the Akal Takht Secretariat in the Sri Darbar Sahib complex on October 12. He had alleged caste-based discrimination after being prevented from entering the Secretariat.
Earlier on Friday, AAP MLAs submitted a clarification at Sri Akal Takht Sahib regarding the October 12 incident, distancing themselves from the allegations made by Giaspura.
The meeting also addressed Punjab’s ongoing drug problem. Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj appealed to the Sangat to support the family of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was killed in a shooting in Mansa. He called for collective efforts to eradicate drug abuse from Punjab.