Chandigarh, Aug 13 (UNI) Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains today completed a religious penance mandated by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest Sikh temporal authority. After completing the penance, Bains visited the revered Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar to offer prayers.
The penance was imposed due to Bains' involvement in a religious event in Srinagar that included dancing and singing, deemed inappropriate by the Sikh clergy. As part of the atonement, the minister offered Rs 1,100 for Karah Prasad (holy offering) and donated one month's salary as Dasvandh (tithe). Additionally, he contributed Rs 20 lakh from his preparatory fund for the upkeep of roads and services at religious sites.
On Thursday, Bains had visited Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi, where he performed the task of cleaning shoes as part of the penance.
Addressing the media, Bains described the directive from Sri Akal Takht Sahib, received on August 6, as a sacred order akin to a father's command. "I fulfilled it with utmost devotion," he said, attributing his success to the blessings of Guru Sahib and the sixth Sikh Guru, Hargobind Sahib.
After completing the service, Bains sought forgiveness from the Sikh community and prayed for strength to serve the Panth, the nation, and Punjab. He reaffirmed his commitment to serving both as a minister and a humble devotee of the Sikh faith.
UNI NB PRS