3 ex-SAD ministers submit clarifications at Akat Takht

In compliance with Akal Takht directive, former ministers of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Bibi Jagir Kaur (both in the rebel camp and expelled) and Sohan Singh Thandal appeared at Akal Takht, separately, and submitted their written clarifications on Monday.

Dhindsa was a minister in the decade-long tenure of the SAD-BJP government. He was the Minister for PWD during 2007-2012 and the Minister for Finance and Planning during 2012-2017.

Refraining from commenting on the issue, he said the aim was to “strengthen” the party and revive its original principles. “That’s why we had launched the ‘SAD Sudhar Lehar’. We are committed towards Akal Takht. As per directions, I have submitted my clarification and will wait for the Akal Takht’s verdict,” he said.

A day prior to their appearance at Akal Takht, both Dhindsa and Jagir Kaur had resigned from the presidium of the “SAD Sudhar Lehar”, stating that they intended to come as “humble” Sikhs.

Bibi Jagir Kaur, former president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), was the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister for a short span during the 2012-2017 tenure of the SAD-BJP government.

She said she remained minister from March 14, 2012, to March 30, 2012. Though she was the SAD core committee member, none of these issues were ever discussed with her, she claimed. “I was the minister for just 16 days in 2012. None of these controversial moves were made during that period. I was never part of any discussion or decision on those moves. That’s what I have clarified to Akal Takht,” she said.

When asked about the 2015 controversial exoneration of Dera Sirsa chief and the huge amount spent by the SGPC on justifying that later on, she said she had gained the primary membership of the SGPC then, but the members were never consulted.

“It was the then SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, who, in consultations with the executive members, took decisions. No member was ever part of that,” she said.

Thandal, former Minister for Jails, Tourism and Culture, said he was still part of the SAD and had come to submit his reply. He said some mistakes could have been committed “knowingly or unknowingly” during the SAD tenure. “We are bound to accept the verdict of Akal Takht,” he added.