Valtoha objects to Takht’s decision to allow Langah to resume politics

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AMRITSAR: A day after former minister Sucha Singh Langah was granted a pardon by Akal Takht for an immoral act, senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former parliamentary secretary Virsa Singh Valtoha on Sunday objected to the decision.

Valtoha said Akal Takht jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh’s order that Langah can now resume politics raised many questions. He said he felt that there may be “some powers behind the decision, which want to weaken SAD.”

Former SAD minister Langah was awarded tankhah (religious punishment) for his offence. He was expelled from the Panth by the Takht after a purported objectionable video of him with a woman went viral in 2017.

On the complaint of the woman, who is a constable in Punjab police, a case was registered against Langah under sections 376 (rape), 384 (extortion), 420 (cheating) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. Though he was acquitted by a Gurdaspur court in 2018 after the woman said that she had filed the complaint under pressure, Langh’s plea for an apology was never entertained by the Sikh clergy at the Takht, the highest Sikh temporal seat. Since his acquittal, he has made all kinds of efforts, including regular visits to Akal Takht, submitting written pleas and indulging in pressure tactics such as getting a rally organised by his supporters in Gurdaspur to press the Takht, but to no avail.

Valtoha, while objecting to the decision on his Facebook page, said the ‘immediate pardon’ and allowance of ‘exemptions in the political and religious field’ to Langah raised many questions.

Valtoha said there are many instances when prominent Sikhs were allowed to return to the Panth by Takht after their humble atonements. He said he also understands the pain the family of Langah had to suffer due to his expulsion from the Panth.

“Langah had been seeking pardon for his act for a long time. It is the right of the jathedar to decide on his pleas. It can be the prerogative of the jathedar to return Langah to the Panth. However, ordering that Langah can take part in politics raises many questions,” he said.

Valtoha said the decision of Jathedar was being seen as a decision of SAD.

“I want to make it clear that there is no hand of SAD in this matter,” he said.

He said it was ‘astonishing’ that Langah was allowed to return to politics and restricted for five years from taking part in religious activities.

“I appeal to the jathedar that he should reconsider his decision to allow Langah to resume political and religious activities,” he added.

As tankhah, he was asked to recite Japji Sahib at Sri Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple) and listen to kirtan in parkarma for 21 days under restrictions. Besides, he was directed to offer ₹5,100 each to Dhadi Jathas (groups of traditional ballad singers) performed at Takht on any day during the period of tankhah and also bring langar (free food) for them and clean the utensils used by them. Notably, Langah once scolded and misbehaved with dhadis at the Takht. Langah will offer also ₹5,100, and deg of karah parshad at Takht on the final day.

The jathedar also said that Langah will not be a member of any gurdwara committee for the next five years, but he will be allowed to take part in political activities. Langah accepted the punishment with folded hands.

I appeal to the jathedar that he should reconsider his decision to allow Langah to resume political and religious activities. VIRSA SINGH VALTOHA, SAD leader