States » NorthPosted at: Oct 17 2026 12:44AM


Sikh high priests declare AAP MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura 'Tankhaiya'

Neeraj Bali
Chandigarh, Oct 16 (UNI) The Akal Takht, Sikhism's highest temporal authority, on Friday declared Punjab's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Manwinder Singh Giaspura a 'tankhaiya', or guilty of religious misconduct, and directed members of the Sikh community to refrain from associating with him over allegations he made against attendants at the Golden Temple complex.
The decision was taken at a meeting of five Sikh high priests at the Akal Takht secretariat following a controversy over Giaspura's allegation that he was denied entry to the secretariat because of his caste.
According to the Akal Takht's order, the legislator from Payal in Ludhiana district had made "false allegations of caste discrimination" against sewadars, or religious volunteers, and used objectionable language against Sikh institutions.
The order said Giaspura had acted contrary to Sikh principles for "personal political gain" and that his statements had hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikh community.
The controversy began on October 12 when a delegation of AAP legislators and leaders visited the Akal Takht secretariat to seek action over an alleged violation of religious protocol during a protest at Delhi's Gurdwara Bangla Sahib on October 10.
Giaspura was prevented from entering the secretariat in accordance with an earlier directive, prompting him to allege that he had been stopped because he belonged to a Scheduled Caste community.
Akal Takht authorities rejected the allegation, maintaining that the restriction was linked to his previous statements and not his caste.
The matter subsequently escalated, with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) submitting a complaint to the Amritsar police commissioner on October 13. SGPC member Avtar Singh Riya also reportedly served a legal notice on Giaspura seeking a public apology.
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj summoned the AAP legislators and leaders who accompanied Giaspura to explain the circumstances surrounding his allegations.
The delegation was initially asked to appear on October 15, but the hearing was rescheduled to Friday because of a Punjab bandh.
According to the Akal Takht's order, the AAP representatives who appeared before the Sikh high priests distanced themselves from Giaspura's allegations.
They said they did not agree with his claims of caste discrimination and described them as his personal views.
The order further stated that the representatives acknowledged that no caste-based discrimination had occurred during the October 12 visit.
The Akal Takht subsequently declared Giaspura a 'tankhaiya' and instructed the Sikh community to avoid social and religious association with him.
In Sikh religious practice, a 'tankhaiya' is a person found guilty of violating religious discipline. The Akal Takht can prescribe religious penance, often involving voluntary service at gurdwaras, before the individual is restored to good standing.
The development marks a significant escalation in the dispute between the AAP legislator and Sikh religious authorities.
Giaspura's response to Friday's decision was not immediately available.
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Neeraj Bali
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