Delhi CM performs ‘sewa’ at Golden temple, apologises for party gaffe

SIN & ATONEMENT

AMRITSAR: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal apologised at the Golden Temple on Monday morning for gaffes by the party that included equating a manifesto with the Guru Granth Sahib and printing its symbol, the broom, on the cover of the document alongside a picture of the holy Sikh shrine.

Kejriwal performed ‘sewa’ (service) by washing utensils at the langar ghar (community kitchen) for 45 minutes.

The Delhi CM was accompanied by senior party leadership including Sucha Singh Chhotepur, Sanjay Singh, H.S. Phoolka. Lok Sabha MP Bhagwant Mann and spokesperson Sukhpal Khaira.

“While releasing the manifesto, we inadvertently made some mistakes. To repent for those mistakes, we performed sewa today. We also paid obeisance at the Golden Temple. We felt at peace after performing sewa,” Kejriwal said after spending nearly two hours inside the shrine.

The party is looking to do well in next year’s Punjab polls, trouncing the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP combine that has been hit by a wave of protests recently as well as the Congress, that is hoping a victory in the state will reverse a nationwide electoral downslide.

Kejriwal has drawn impressive crowds in his rallies and all four of the party’s Lok Sabha MPs come from the state but the controversy over the Guru Granth Sahib comparisons has hurt the party in recent weeks.

AAP spokesperson Ashish Khetan who equated the manifesto with the Guru Granth Sahib in his speech during the release function on July 3, also performed sewa along with Kejriwal.

Kejriwal and the party leaders chose to go inside the sanctum sanctorum like ordinary pilgrims and did not opt for the VIP entry that is normally used by high profile visitors. The media was not allowed by the SGPC men and some of them were seen pushing away camera crews which tried to take pictures of Kejriwal. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is the first non-Sikh to seek forgiveness at the Golden Temple. Here are others who sought penance at the shrine: SURJIT SINGH JAGDEV SINGH

BARNALA: TALWANDI:

Former Punjab Former president

CM declared derelict of Shiromani by Akal Akali Dal was punished

Takht for sending for defying the police into the Golden Temple in Akal Takht’s directive on unity in 1986 to flush out pro-Khalistani Akali factions. Talwandi atoned militants. He was made to repent for his indiscretion in 1979 by by performing a 21-day ‘sewa’. doing ‘sewa’ and was pardoned.

BUTA SINGH:

Former Union home minister

Buta Singh faced the Akal Takht’s wrath for his role in the 1984 Operation Bluestar. He was excommunicated from the community. In 1994, he sought pardon and was let off

BABA SANTA

SINGH: Chief of

Nihang faction took up ‘kar sewa’ of the building of Akal Takht after Operation Bluestar. The Sikh clergy disapproved his act. He later appeared before the Sikh head priests and apologized

BIKRAM SINGH MAJITHIA: He sparked a blasphemy row in May 2014 when he allegedly distorted a hymn while canvassing for Arun Jaitley in Amritsar during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Majithia apologised and washed utensils at the Golden Temple