Punjab ex-ministers Sikandar Singh Maluka, Sarwan Singh Phillaur appear at Akal Takht

Two former ministers of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Sikandar Singh Maluka and Sarwan Singh Phillaur, today separately appeared at the Akal Takht to submit their written clarifications.

Maluka, once a close confidante of the Badals, was the cabinet minister during the 2012-2017 tenure of the SAD-BJP government. “I have come with a humble approach devoid of any position in the party. I am bound to accept the Akal Takht decision on my clarification that I submitted today,” he said.

At a time when he headed the SAD disciplinary committee, he had signed the cancellation of the primary membership of former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur, who, in 2022, contested against SAD-sponsored candidate Harjinder Singh Dhami for the post of president in the SGPC’s annual poll.

Interestingly, now both are part of the same rebel group that had approached the Akal Takht against SAD president Sukhbir Badal.

Phillaur, a six-time MLA, was a minister in the SAD-BJP regime during 2012-2017. He said he resigned as minister in 2014, whereas the anti-Panthic moves, including the exoneration of Dera Sirsa head, took place in 2015.