Akal Takht directs Akali Dal to expel Valtoha for 'character assassination' of Sikh clergy

In an unprecedented move, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on Tuesday (October 15) directed the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to expel its senior leader Virsa Singh Valtoha from the party after finding him guilty of character assassination of the Sikh clergy.

The Jathedar of the Akal Takht, which is the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, initiated action against Valtoha during an emergency meeting of the Sikh high priests chaired by him in Amritsar. The Jathedar directed SAD's working president Balwinder Singh Bhunder through an edict to expel Valthoa from the party within 24 hours and terminate his membership for 10 years.

Fails to furnish proof

After being summoned over the allegations, Valtoha on Tuesday appeared before the Takht and presented his side verbally and in writing. Subsequently, the action was taken against him after he failed to produce evidence to support his public claim that the Sikh high priests were under pressure of the Union government, BJP-RSS and Sikhs living abroad in the matter of SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Also Read: Why Akal Takht has declared Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Badal 'guilty of religious misconduct'

Valtoha had reportedly questioned the delay by the Sikh clergy in announcing the ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment) to the SAD chief. The Akal Takht had on August 30 declared Sukhbir as ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) for the “mistakes” committed by his party’s government from 2007 to 2017.

Valtoha submitted his written clarification and an apology by appearing in person but the Sikh clergy, which also included Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, found Valtoha guilty of character assassination of the Sikh clergy.

Breach of trust

In the edict, the Sikh clergy stated that Valtoha failed to back his charges with concrete evidence and resorted to character assassination merely on hearsay. The Sikh high priests said he visited the Akal Takht Jathedar’s residence on the pretext of enquiring after his health but asked him not to take any political decision against Sukhbir. Moreover, Valtoha recorded his conversation without informing the jathedar, which is a breach of trust, the edict read.

“Valtoha has tendered an apology for his mistakes. However, his media statement has damaged the respect and ‘maryada’ of the Akal Takht. So, the SAD acting president is asked to expel him from the party within 24 hours and not to take him in the party fold for 10 years. If he still does not refrain from his acts, stricter action will be taken against him,” the edict read.

Tenders resignation

Meanwhile, Valtoha accepted the Akal Takht’s edict and himself resigned from the party, though he maintained his stand against the Sikh high priests.

Also Read: Declared 'guilty of religious misconduct', Sukhbir Badal appears before Akal Takht

Valtoha said, “I voluntarily resign from the primary membership of the Akali Dal, but Akali blood flows through my veins. I will make public all evidence tomorrow if my clarification and the pendrive containing documents are not released by the secretariat of Shri Akal Takht Sahib.”

Valtoha continued to target Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, claiming that his actions were creating fear within the Akali ranks. He also made it clear that he intends to release documents and evidence supporting his claims about the jathedar’s alleged connections with the BJP.

(With agency inputs)