Akal Takht declares AAP MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura 'Tankhaiya'
Ruling party legislators distance themselves from allegations of caste discrimination made by the Payal MLA outside the Golden Temple complex.
The Akal Takht declared Aam Aadmi Party legislator Manwinder Singh Giaspura 'Tankhaiya' — guilty of religious misconduct — following derogatory remarks directed at Sikh institutions and its highest temporal leadership.
The decree came as fellow AAP legislators arrived at the Akal Takht secretariat in Amritsar on Friday to comply with summons issued by officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj. Appearing before the religious authority, the MLAs sought forgiveness from the Guru Sahib, distanced themselves from Giaspura’s statements, and admitted their failure to counter his claims publicly earlier in the week.
What triggered the controversy
The dispute began on Monday, 12 October, when an AAP delegation visited the Darbar Sahib complex in Amritsar. The group arrived to submit a formal memorandum protesting against the alleged entry of Delhi Police personnel into Gurdwara Bangla Sahib during a demonstration in the national capital.
While the delegation was received, secretariat officials stopped Giaspura, who represents Payal constituency in Ludhiana district, at the entrance. Jaskaran Singh, media adviser at the Akal Takht Secretariat, later clarified that Giaspura was denied entry due to past "derogatory, highly objectionable and threatening" comments directed at the Akal Takht Jathedar and community bodies.
Following the bar, Giaspura told reporters waiting outside the complex that he had been subjected to caste-based discrimination.
Timeline of events
| Date | Location | Development |
|---|---|---|
| 12 October | Akal Takht Secretariat, Amritsar | AAP delegation submits memorandum; Giaspura denied entry and alleges caste discrimination |
| 12 October | Darbar Sahib Complex | Akal Takht rejects discrimination charge, citing past hostile remarks by Giaspura |
| 16 October | Akal Takht Secretariat, Amritsar | AAP MLAs appear on Jathedar's summons, apologise, and disown Giaspura's statements |
| 16 October | Akal Takht Secretariat, Amritsar | Akal Takht issues formal edict declaring Giaspura 'Tankhaiya' |
Legislators retract and apologise
In a statement released on Friday, the Akal Takht secretariat noted that the appearing AAP legislators admitted their error in remaining silent when Giaspura made his allegations on 12 October. They acknowledged failing to promptly clarify that no caste prejudice exists within the temporal seat.
The visiting lawmakers told the secretariat that Giaspura's remarks were entirely his personal views and did not represent the party or the delegation. They reaffirmed that Sikh institutions welcome all individuals without regard to caste, colour, or creed, as mandated by Sikh tenets.
Giani Gargaj directed the legislators to reiterate their clarification publicly before the press, instructing them to ensure that the sanctity and egalitarian principles of the temporal seat are not misrepresented.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Akal Takht decree | 16 October | Akal Takht secretariat |
| Date Giaspura was denied entry | 12 October | Akal Takht secretariat |
| Assembly constituency | Payal, Ludhiana district | Punjab Legislative Assembly records cited in sources |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Aam Aadmi Party | Ruling political party in Punjab whose legislators appeared before the religious body |
| Manwinder Singh Giaspura | AAP MLA for Payal declared Tankhaiya for objectionable remarks against Sikh institutions |
| Akal Takht | Highest temporal seat of Sikhism which issued the religious decree |
