Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday performed sewa at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo as part of his penance for the “mistakes” made during his party’s government in Punjab from 2007 to 2017.
Badal wore a blue sewadar uniform and sat at the entrance to the gurdwara, holding a spear in one hand, his legs splayed out in front of him as he sat in a wheelchair with a fractured leg. He also listened to kirtan inside the precincts.
This was the seventh day for Badal’s penance; he has been directed to do sewa at Akal Takht Damdama Sahib and other Sikh shrines, such as the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Takht Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib, Darbar Sahib in Muktsar, and two days at Fatehgarh Sahib.
The penance drew heightened attention after an incident on December 4 at the Golden Temple, where Badal narrowly escaped harm when a former Khalistani terrorist, Narain Singh Chaura, attempted to attack him. Chaura, armed with a firearm, was swiftly subdued by plainclothes policemen and arrested.
In the wake of the recent security breach, Bathinda SSP Amneet Kondal personally supervised the arrangements in Takht Damdama Sahib. She ensured all was secure during Badal’s visit; a sizeable police deployment was made for the prevention of any untoward incidents.
The ongoing penance is part of an effort by the SAD leader to seek forgiveness and reconciliation with the Sikh community, after years of criticism for decisions made during his party’s tenure in power.
As Badal continues his spiritual journey, the gesture has sparked mixed reactions, with some seeing it as a genuine attempt at redemption and others questioning its political undertones. However, the leader has maintained that the sewa is a personal act of atonement for past errors.
Further security arrangements are expected at the remaining gurdwaras where Badal is scheduled to complete his penance in the coming days.
