On Monday, the Akal Takht declared AAP legislator Manwinder Singh Giaspura guilty of religious misconduct after he accused a group outside the secretariat of the Sri Darbar Sahib Complex of caste discrimination. The ruling MLA, who represents Payal in Ludhiana district, had claimed that a procession of lower‑caste individuals was denied entry to the complex. The declaration, issued by the Takht’s secretariat, labels Giaspura a ‘Tankhaiya’, meaning he has breached Sikh code of conduct. The verdict requires him to seek forgiveness before the Sangat and perform acts of service such as cleaning gurdwaras.
The ruling prompted a swift response from the AAP camp. Four of its MLAs appeared at the Takht’s secretariat, publicly apologized for the remarks, and distanced themselves from Giaspura’s personal views. They also affirmed that their statements did not reflect the party’s stance. This incident follows the Takht’s June condemnation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann as ‘Guru Dokhi’ and its call for the community to shun him after his alleged remarks about Sikh devotees.
The controversy comes at a time when the AAP government is under siege for its handling of Punjab’s drug crisis. The killing of anti‑drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa has intensified scrutiny of the administration’s law‑and‑order record. Political analysts say the Takht’s rebuke could embolden opposition parties, notably the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Waris Punjab De, to press the AAP’s perceived mishandling of Sikh institutions ahead of the state assembly elections slated for early 2027.
Giaspura is scheduled to perform the prescribed service duties at the Sri Darbar Sahib on Tuesday, after seeking forgiveness before the Guru Granth Sahib. The Akal Takht has warned that failure to comply may result in further religious sanctions. The incident is expected to dominate headlines in the run‑up to the elections, as parties rally their Sikh base.