ANANDPUR SAHIB, Aug 9 — Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Friday carried out ‘tankah’ (religious atonement) at Gurdwara Shishganj Sahib in Anandpur Sahib, following orders from Sikh high priests over a violation of the Sikh code of conduct.
The penalty, imposed by five Sikh high priests including the officiating Jathedar of the Akal Takht, came after song and dance were permitted during an event in Srinagar marking the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur — an act deemed contrary to Sikh maryada.
As part of the atonement, Bains was directed to make a barefoot pilgrimage from the Golden Temple to Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal, visit Gurdwara Kotha Sahib and Gurdwara Baba Bakala, and offer prayers at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi. He was also ordered to complete two days of sewa (voluntary service) at Anandpur Sahib, including cleaning devotees’ footwear and sweeping the premises, offer a deg (karah prasad) worth ₹1,100, and participate in an ardas seeking forgiveness.
In a first, the directives also required him to undertake repairs and maintenance of roads leading to the religious sites. “As a devout Sikh, I will fulfill all directives to seek forgiveness and uphold our traditions,” Bains said. Devotees present described the service as a public display of humility and reverence.
