AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—Controversial Akali leader and Punjab revenue Minister Bikram Majithia on Wednesday May 14, 2014, completed Tankhah (religious penance) awarded to him by Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib for his blasphemous speech during an election rally in support of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Arun Jaitley here last month. Majithia completed the Tankhah with the Bhog (completion) ceremony of Sri Akhand Paath Sahib (uninterrupted reading of entire Guru Granth Sahib scripture) at Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
It took just eight days for him to complete Tankhah, and be exonerated for his offense. The Granthi Singh performed Ardas (prayer) at Sri Akal Takht Sahib seeking forgiveness for the act of blasphemy. Prior to the Ardas, Majithia, as directed by the Takht, deposited 501 Rupees in the Golak (donation box) at the Takht and also made a Karah Parshad (sacramental sweet) offering worth 101 Rupees at Sri Harmandir Sahib.
Majithia attracted a great deal of criticism for the hurried manner in which he went about completing his Tankhah. The minister could not change his VIP mindset and took his followers along with him to all the five Takhts. Traditionally, the assigned task has to be performed with humility, which Majithia did not display, as he even used helicopters, and chartered planes to move from one Takht to the other four. If summoned by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, a Sikh must give up the position he holds.
Role of Giani Gurbachan Singh appointed Jathedar of Sri Akal Sahib, has also been questioned as he did not take rigid action against Majithia for which he deserves. Contrary to this, he awarded quite mild Tankhah to him.
