Sukhbir Singh Badal, leader of Akali Dal, called in by top Sikh organization over rebels’ accusations

Sukhbir Badal, the President of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), has been requested by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh to provide a written explanation within 15 days in response to accusations by rebel leaders. The rebel leaders alleged that Mr. Badal did not represent the sentiments of the panth. They appeared before the Akal Takht Sahib on July 1 to apologize for mistakes committed during their party’s tenure in Punjab from 2007 to 2017 and handed an apology letter to the Akal Takht Jathedar at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. In a statement issued after a meeting of the Panj Singh Sahibs, the jathedar acknowledged the complaint against the SAD president and requested Mr. Badal to personally appear before the Akal Takht Sahib to address the accusations within the specified 15-day period.

In addition, the Akal Takht also sought clarification from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) regarding allegations made by some Akali leaders concerning the expenditure of Rs 90 lakh on advertisements. The rebels’ apology letter highlighted four mistakes made during the former SAD regime, including the failure to punish those responsible for the 2015 sacrilege incidents and the pardoning of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the 2007 blasphemy case. These leaders attributed these mistakes to the SAD chief, who was the deputy chief minister at the time. The letter also referred to the SGPC’s substantial expenditure on newspaper advertisements to justify the decision to pardon the Dera chief in 2015.

The Akal Takht had initially pardoned the Dera chief based on a written apology, but eventually annulled its decision due to pressure from the Sikh community and hardliners. The rebels also criticized the failure of the Akali government to ensure punishment for those guilty in the 2015 sacrilege incidents. Prominent leaders, including former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, former MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala, former minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, and party leader Sucha Singh Chhotepur, raised objections against Mr. Badal. In response to the summons, Akali Dal spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler expressed their commitment to follow all instructions from the Akal Takht Sahib, assuring that everyone in the Akali Dal, including Sukhbir Singh Badal, will appear before it.