Akal Takht Declares AAP MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura Guilty of Religious Misconduct

The Akal Takht has declared Aam Aadmi Party MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura 'Tankhaiya' for religious misconduct due to his alleged objectionable remarks against Sikh religious institutions and personalities.

Entry Denial

Mr. Giaspura, who represents the Payal constituency in Ludhiana district, was blocked from entering the Akal Takht secretariat on October 12. A delegation of AAP MLAs and leaders had visited the religious body at the Darbar Sahib complex on that day to submit a memorandum seeking action against Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged entry of Delhi Police into Gurdwara Bangla Sahib during a protest. Outside the secretariat, Mr. Giaspura told the media that he faced caste-based discrimination.

Secretariat Response

Jaskaran Singh, media adviser at the Akal Takht Secretariat, rejected the discrimination claim on Monday, clarifying that Mr. Giaspura was stopped over his alleged past derogatory, objectionable, and threatening remarks against the Jathedar and Sikh institutions.

Apology By AAP MLAs

Following directions from the Jathedar Akal Takht Sahib, AAP legislators appeared at the secretariat on Friday. They admitted they made a mistake by not contradicting Mr. Giaspura's media claims on October 12 and failing to clarify that he made inappropriate remarks. The present legislators sought forgiveness from the Guru Sahib, stated that no one is ever stopped from visiting based on caste, race, or colour, and distanced themselves from Mr. Giaspura's remarks by calling them his personal views.

Context

The Akal Takht is the highest temporal seat of authority for Sikhs, located within the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. Decisions and edicts issued by its Jathedar carry immense religious significance within the community.