Sukhbir Badal’s Holi pics raise political storm on social media

CHANDIGARH : The Holi pics of Sukhbir Singh Badal Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and President of Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) have created storm in the political and religious circles of Punjab. The pictures gone viral on social media have received flak from Sikh organisations and political rivals of Badal. Sukhbir Badal is seen playing Holi with his security guards at his Delhi residence without turban and other religious symbols mandatory for Sikhs to wear all the time. The critics of Badal have said that the past presidents of SAD had always maintained high social and moral values in their private and public domain. Though Sukhbir Badal is facing criticism for his alleged ‘ugly’ public apperance in public domain, there are many who defended him on the plea that before being President of a political party, he is also human being. One of his suppporter said that if US President Barack Obama would ahve done same thing, he would have received an applauce for his act and if Sukhbir Badal has posed in holi mood, it has become an ugly posture for his critics.
Akali Awaz. a facebook page created by supporters of Sukhbir Badal has maintained that if Sukhbir Badal is playing Holi with his security gurards in the boundary wall of his home and all of sudden his turban falls down with bucket of water, would it mean he is not a Sikh.
Kanwarpal Singh Spokesman of Dal Khalsa in his facebook post said, “As a Sikh, when one view the pic of President of Shiromani Akali Dal without Turban in public domain, his/her head would automatically hang in shame.
We respect privacy and we had no objection of anyone celebrating Holi festival. However, when the person happens to be a high stature public figure and that too head of a Sikh party then it really makes a difference. Today the proud Sikhs feel cheated and defeated. In moral sense the Sikh Nation loses its case to uphold the honour of turban worldwide.With the president of Akali Dal cherishing and enjoying festival in public domain by taking off turban, the French Sikhs loses their moral strength to fight against the embarrassment and humiliation they had to face while clicking their photo for government I’d and driving license without their turban.
Whether Sukhbir Badal still deserve to be head of Akali Dal will surely depend upon the rank and file of the party- who have been reduced to family affair. For a true Sikh, Sukhbir has done irreparable damage to the Sikh pride.
Sukhbir needs to bow his head at Akal Takhat and seek forgiveness from Almighty Waheguru and equally seek apology from every GurSikh, who’s sentiments he has hurt.
Paramjit Singh Sarna, Delhi Sikh leader and former President of DSGMC posted on facebook, ” Disgusting, disgraceful and blasphemous. I couldn’t believe my eyes seeing images of a president of none other than the Shiromani Akali Dal soaking himself in Holi colors and without wearing his turban.
As someone controlling the SGPC and thereby the Takhats, Sukhbir Singh Badal was required to have at least a preliminary understanding of the concept of Holi in the Sikh tradition as enunciated by Sri Guru Arjan Patshah — Holi Kini Sant Sev.
His images, if true, show his beliefs that violate Gurmat and concur with the Manmat that Guru Sahibs rejected.It is obnoxious to see him executing this Manmat bare-headed.This is blasphemy and sacrilege to the Sikh turban
and the proud Sikh identity.
Sukhbir Singh Badal must apologise to the Panth or surrender himself in as a sacrilege culprit if these photos are true.
MPS Sehgal a facebook activist while replying to supporters of Sukhbir Badal writes, ” I totally disagree with the gentleman who has posted comments as Sd Sukhveer Samra who in spite criticizing the Dy CM Punjab behaving in such a manner which is highly undignified nd unethical is being praised for his shameful act. For a person holding such a high position in public life as President of SAD nd aspiring to be CM of Punjab. When u enter politics u have no personal life, u cannot under any circumstances behave this way. Shame for a person of his stature. This reflects sheer arrogance of power. He has no respect for his Gurus for panth for Sikh Samaj nd towards principles nd values for which our Gurus have lived nd sacrificed their lives nd family’s. It’s was for Sikhi only. Shame nd Shame only for displaying this kind of attitude in public”.