Amritsar: Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has completed the religious service directed by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, expressing humility and devotion while carrying out the assigned tasks. On Wednesday, after fulfilling the requirements of the directive, Bains visited the Harmandir Sahib to offer prayers and seek forgiveness.
During his visit, the minister contributed a ‘kada prasad’ worth Rs 1,100 and announced the donation of his one-month salary as daswandh, a Sikh tradition of offering one-tenth of one’s income, along with Rs 20 lakh from his ministerial quota. The contributions will be utilized for upkeep and improvement of religious sites, including roadworks and essential facilities.
Bains described the 6 August order from Sri Akal Takht as a “fatherly guidance from the Guru” and said he performed the assigned duties with full dedication. “I prayed for strength to serve the Panth, Punjab, and the nation. Whether in my role as a minister or as a humble Sikh, I remain committed to service,” he stated.
The directive stemmed from an event held in Srinagar to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The inclusion of music and dance performances, featuring Punjabi singer Bir Singh, was seen as inappropriate by many in the Sikh community, prompting the highest Sikh temporal seat to take notice.
The religious punishment involved:
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Cleaning the pathway from Harmandir Sahib to Guru’s Palace in Amritsar.
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Road cleaning at Gurudwara Kotha Sahib and Baba Bakala Sahib.
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Serving at the joda ghar (shoe deposit area) in Gurudwaras in Delhi and Shri Anandpur Sahib for two days each.
Bains promptly accepted the verdict and began the assigned tasks, including his recent service at the Delhi Sheesh Ganj Gurudwara, before completing the remaining duties in Punjab.
