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Sukhbir Badal baptized at Sikh shrine
with thanks Calcutta News.Net
Wednesday 3rd September, 2008 (IANS)
Punjab
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's son and Akali Dal president
Sukhbir Badal Wednesday got himself baptized at the famous Sikh
shrine of Takht Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib.
The baptism of Badal junior, which was kept a low-key affair by
the family and political circles, would mean that he will have
to follow strict tenets of the Sikh religion. These include not
cutting or trimming hair, staying away from alcoholic drinks,
intoxicants and tobacco, reciting daily prayers and wearing all
symbols of the religion at all times.
Ever since he took over as Akali Dal president from his father
last year, Sukhbir had been under pressure from the party
leadership to get baptized. No Akali Dal leader had become party
president without being baptized.
The baptism ceremony was conducted by the head priest of the
shrine at Anandpur Sahib, 100 km from here, and Badal junior was
given amrit or nectar by Panj Piaras - the five holy men. He was
then offered a siropa, a traditional sword, to complete the
ceremony. |
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