Akal Takht Declares AAP MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura ‘Tankhaiya’ Over Remarks Against Sikh Institutions

The Akal Takht, the highest temporal and spiritual authority in Sikhism, on Friday declared Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura 'tankhaiya', a term used for a person guilty of religious misconduct. The decision was taken over his alleged objectionable remarks against Sikh religious institutions and personalities, news agency PTI reported. Giaspura represents the Payal constituency in Ludhiana district, and the declaration puts the ruling party in Punjab in an awkward spot, coming only months after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann himself faced censure from the same religious body.

Several AAP legislators also appeared before the Akal Takht secretariat on Friday, sought forgiveness and distanced themselves from Giaspura's remarks.

What Led to the Declaration

According to a statement issued by the secretariat, Giaspura was denied entry into its premises on October 12. He was accompanying a group of AAP MLAs and leaders who had visited the religious body in connection with his alleged past remarks against Sikh personalities and institutions. Akal Takht Expels Amarjit Singh Chawla From Khalsa Panth Over Rape Case Allegations.

Outside the secretariat, located in the Darbar Sahib complex in Amritsar, Giaspura allegedly told the media that he had faced caste-based discrimination.

AAP MLAs Seek Forgiveness

The secretariat said the AAP legislators appeared in compliance with directions issued by the Jathedar of the Akal Takht Sahib. They admitted that, despite those directions, they had neither contradicted Giaspura's allegations before the media on October 12 nor clarified that they had not faced any caste-based discrimination, and that his remarks were inappropriate, the communique cited by PTI added. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Declared ‘Guru Dokhi’ by Akal Takht.

The legislators sought forgiveness from the 'Guru Sahib' and clarified that no one had ever been prevented from visiting the Akal Takht Sahib on the grounds of caste, race or colour. They also said they did not agree with Giaspura's remarks and described them as his personal views.

Akal Takht Rejects Caste Discrimination Claim

Speaking to the media on Monday, Akal Takht secretariat media adviser Jaskaran Singh rejected Giaspura's claim that he had been denied entry because of caste-based discrimination. He said Giaspura was stopped because of his alleged past 'derogatory, highly objectionable and threatening' remarks against the Jathedar of the Akal Takht and Sikh institutions.

Mann Was Also Censured Earlier

The development comes months after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was declared a 'Guru Dokhi' and 'Khalsa Panth Virodhi' by the Akal Takht over a controversial viral video.

AAP's Memorandum Against Amit Shah

Earlier on Monday, a delegation of Punjab AAP MLAs had submitted a memorandum to the Akal Takht secretariat seeking action against Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The memorandum concerned the alleged entry of Delhi Police personnel into Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in New Delhi during a protest.

Calling the incident a grave violation of the sanctity of Sikh religious institutions, the MLAs urged the Akal Takht Jathedar to summon Shah and ensure accountability.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 17, 2026 08:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).