BADAL ‘PENANCE’ A SHAM

Akali patriarch Parkash Singh Badal’s act of penance at Akal Takht without being accused by the Sikh clergy betrays his political motive behind the move. This, in a way, is the repeat of Akal Takht’s decision on granting pardon to the Dera Sacha Sauda chief without following a procedure. The latest drama comes at a time when there was hope of the exalted Sikh institution regaining its credibility. Badal should gracefully give up the honorific of Fakhr-e-Kaum that he got conferred on himself as chief minister. Mohan Singh, Amritsar