Amritsar, October 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Akal Takht Sahib on Friday declared Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Manvinder Singh Giaspura ‘Tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) over his allegations of caste discrimination and objectionable remarks concerning Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Sri Harmandir Sahib.
The decision was announced by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj from the ramparts of Akal Takht Sahib following a meeting of the five Sikh high priests at the Akal Takht Secretariat.
The Sikh clergy also advised Sikhs to refrain from maintaining association with Giaspura, who represents the Payal Assembly constituency in Ludhiana district.
The controversy arose on October 12 when a delegation of AAP MLAs and political leaders visited Akal Takht Sahib to submit a complaint against Union Home Minister Amit Shah over an alleged violation of the sanctity of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi.
The delegation had alleged that Delhi Police personnel entered the Gurdwara premises bareheaded and wearing shoes.
Giaspura, who accompanied the delegation, did not enter the Akal Takht Secretariat. Speaking to the media outside, he alleged that he had been denied entry because he belonged to the Dalit community.
His allegations went viral and triggered a controversy. During his interaction with journalists, Giaspura also used highly objectionable Punjabi terminology while referring to Akal Takht Sahib.
According to the official order issued by Akal Takht Sahib on Friday, Giaspura had been prevented from entering the Secretariat on October 12 on the directions of the Jathedar because of his earlier derogatory and insulting remarks against the Jathedar and Sikh institutions.
The order stated that the other MLAs present on that occasion had been informed of the reason for restricting his entry.
The Akal Takht subsequently summoned the other MLAs who had accompanied Giaspura on October 12 to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to the order, the MLAs who appeared before the Sikh clergy on Friday acknowledged that Giaspura had deliberately introduced the caste issue despite no caste-related discrimination having occurred that day.
The Akal Takht order accused Giaspura of making false allegations against the sewadars of Sri Darbar Sahib and using extremely derogatory language concerning Sri Harmandir Sahib, Sri Darbar Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
It stated that his remarks had deeply hurt the sentiments of Guru Nanak Naam Leva Sangat and the Khalsa Panth across the world.
The Sikh clergy observed that Giaspura’s conduct contradicted the fundamental Sikh principle of equality, which rejects discrimination based on caste.
The order referred to the Sikh teaching, “Jaanhu Jot Na Poochhu Jaati, Aagai Jaat Na He,” emphasising the spiritual equality of all human beings.
It also recalled that Guru Gobind Singh Ji, through the institution of Amrit, had rejected discrimination based on caste, social status, race and colour.
The Akal Takht order alleged that Giaspura, despite being an Amritdhari Sikh, had created a false caste-based narrative for personal political benefit, enabling anti-Sikh elements to spread propaganda against Sikh institutions and the Sikh faith.
Describing his conduct as a serious violation of Sikh principles, the five Sikh high priests declared Manvinder Singh Giaspura ‘Tankhaiya’.
The concluding directive of the order stated that Sikhs should avoid maintaining association with him.
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