In a surprise development, former Cabinet minister in the previous SAD-BJP regime Sucha Singh Langah, who was ex-communicated by the Akal Takht, was exonerated by the ‘panj pyaras’ at Gurdwara Garhi Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Gurdwara in Dhariwal, Gurdaspur.
This move is being ‘understood’ as paving the way for bringing him back to the community fold as Langah intends to re-join the mainstream politics, but the Akal Takht’s verdict played a major spoilsport.
The former SAD MLA from Dera Baba Nanak was excommunicated on October 5, 2017, by the Akal Takht after a video, showing him getting intimate with a woman outside of marriage, went viral.
This is considered ‘bajar kurahit’, ‘an immoral transgression’ in the Sikh religion.
Today, during the annual programme at Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Gurdwara, Langah, along with his family, formally appeared before the ‘panj pyaras’ of Tarna Dal, a Nihang Singh organisation, to submit apology.
After listening to his version, the ‘panj pyaras’ pronounced upon him ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment).
He was directed to sweep the gurdwara premises for at least one hour daily for 21 days. Besides this, he will have to wash the dishes in community kitchen and clean up footwear at ‘jodha ghar’.
As Langah accepted the punishment, the panj pyaras granted him ‘amrit-sanchar’ (ceremony of baptism).
Instantly complying with the tankhah, he also cleaned up the gurdwara premises with a broom.
Upon completion of the 21-day ‘tankhah’, Langah has plans to make an appeal to the Akal Takht again for re-induction into the community.
“I was overwhelmed that the ‘panj pyaras’ acknowledged my apology. After completion of tankhah, the ‘ardas for atonement’ will be performed in the same gurdwara. Thereafter, I will approach the Akal Takht again for reviewing my ex-communication verdict. I am free from all charges legally and hope that Akal Takht will take sympathetic view and accept me back,” he said.
Nonetheless, the ex-communication verdict of the Akal Takht remained intact. Lately, on March 13, 2020, Langah had visited the Akal Takht seeking forgiveness, but the officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh had refused to acknowledge his visit and the plea.
He had, then, stated that any move regarding the expulsion of Langah could be taken keeping in view the emotions of the ‘Sikh Sangat’ and in the light of principles.
Langah was booked for rape, cheating, ransom and criminal conspiracy on the statement of a woman on September 29, 2017, just prior to the Gurdaspur parliamentary bypoll.
Later, the woman complainant withdrew her statements claiming that she was not the woman in the purported video and all her statements produced in court were either fake or taken under pressure.
SIKH OUTFITS OPPOSED TO PARDON
When contacted, Akal Takht performing Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh mentioned,
“By doing so, he (Langah) can’t be acquitted by Akal Takht Sahib. The order towards him stays intact.”
In his final apology letter on March 13, Langah sought “forgiveness” for his “misconduct” whilst he claimed that the courtroom had absolved him of rape costs.
Nevertheless, Sikh organisations are against the revocation of the excommunication of the previous Akali chief.
Performing on the criticism of the girl, who’s a Punjab Police constable, a case was registered towards Langah underneath Sections 376 (rape), 384 (extortion), 420 (dishonest) and 506 (legal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. In 2018, Langah was acquitted by a Gurdaspur courtroom after the girl mentioned that she had filed the criticism underneath strain.
Sources mentioned Langah is eager to rejoin politics and has organised public gatherings in Dera Baba Nanak meeting constituency. Nevertheless, the Akal Takht order stays his largest hurdle.
SGPC suspends three employees of gurdwara
Hours after pardoning ex-communicated former SAD leader Sucha Singh Langah, SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal suspended three employees of Gurdwara Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Garhi in Dhariwal (Gurdaspur).
Confirming this, Longowal’s personal secretary Mahinder Singh Ahli told that those suspended were Rachhpal Singh, in charge, Khushwant Singh priest and Harmeet Singh kathavachak.
“They have been suspended till further orders,” he said.
Meanwhile, the flying squad wing along with senior parcharak (preachers) and members of Dharam Parchar Committee were entrusted with the responsibility of scrutinising the circumstances which led to pardoning Langah.