Sri Akal Takht declares AAP MLA Manvinder Singh Giaspura ‘Tankhaiya’
Bans Jiwan Singh Bagichiwale from Preaching and Kirtan
Five Singh Sahibans also appeal to Sikhs to support family of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota
Babushahi Bureau
Amritsar (Punjab), October 16, 2026: The five Singh Sahibans, during a meeting at the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, took several decisions concerning Sikh religious conduct, including declaring Aam Aadmi Party MLA Manvinder Singh Giaspura ‘tankhaiya’ over his alleged remarks concerning Sri Harmandir Sahib and Sikh institutions.
Announcing the decisions to the sangat, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said the meeting also imposed a ban on Jiwan Singh Bagichiwale from preaching and performing kirtan over his alleged remarks against Gurbani, Sikh history, Sikh code of conduct and Panthic traditions.
The Singh Sahibans also appealed to the Sikh community and people across Punjab to support the family of late anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was killed after raising his voice against drugs.
Giaspura declared ‘tankhaiya’
Giani Gargajj said the remarks made by Giaspura concerning Sri Harmandir Sahib and Sikh institutions were discussed during the meeting. He claimed that a delegation of AAP MLAs and leaders had acknowledged that the caste issue was deliberately raised and that no such incident had taken place on the day in question.
Following the deliberations, Giaspura was declared ‘tankhaiya’, a term used in Sikh religious tradition for a person found guilty of religious misconduct. The Sikh community was asked to refrain from associating with him.
Giani Gargajj reiterated that Sikhism does not permit discrimination on the basis of caste, social status or wealth. He said the Sikh Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, had taught equality, brotherhood and mutual respect, adding that Sri Harmandir Sahib welcomes people from all religions and social backgrounds.
Ban on Jiwan Singh Bagichiwale
In another decision, the five Singh Sahibans prohibited Jiwan Singh Bagichiwale from preaching and performing kirtan.
Giani Gargajj said the matter was discussed in view of comments allegedly made by Bagichiwale against Gurbani, Sikh history, Sikh discipline and Panthic traditions. He warned self-styled preachers against making statements contrary to Gurmat principles and Sikh religious discipline.
Appeal to support Jhota’s family
The meeting also paid tribute to Parvinder Singh Jhota, who had campaigned against drugs in Punjab. Giani Gargajj said Jhota had lost his life while raising his voice against the drug menace and appealed to the Sikh community and people across Punjab to support his family in its pursuit of justice.
He urged people to unite to eradicate drugs and remember those who had sacrificed their lives while trying to protect young people from addiction.
Giani Gargajj stressed the need to uphold Sikh principles, Panthic traditions and Gurmat Maryada.