Our hope rests on Akal Takht: Rebel Akali leader Gurpartap Singh Wadala
GS Paul
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, August 7
The rebel Akalis are now looking forward to outcome of the meeting of the five high priests scheduled for August 30. They are likely to take a call on the clarifications submitted separately by SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, while responding to the allegations levelled against them.
Headed by Gurpartap Singh Wadala, the rebel leaders paid obeisance at the Golden Temple today. “We have come to seek the Guru’s blessings. We hope that the five high priests will take the decision in the light of the Sikh principles and traditions so that the SAD, whose existence is in danger at present, could be revitalised with a consensus,” he said.
Wadala who is the convener of the ‘Shiromani Akali Dal Sudhar Lehar’ said it was aimed at strengthening and uplifting the 104-year-old outfit which emerged out of history of immense sacrifices. “We appeal to the Sikh masses, organisations, historians, intellectuals, kavisharis and dhadis to come together and advise us to establish a collective leadership to win back the lost faith and place the Panth on a common platform,” he said.
Giving a piece of advice to Sukhbir, he said those who sacrifice for the Panth were always placed in high esteem. Seeking change in the SAD leadership, he said: “It was time for Sukhbir to show a large heart to acknowledge the community’s sentiments and show a spirit of sacrificial gesture to quit his post,” he said.
A section of the senior party leaders, now expelled, had revolted against the SAD chief, demanding him to step down following the party’s debacle on the political sphere due to controversial decisions taken in the past.
On July 1, the rebels had approached the Akal Takht with a written apology for being part of the SAD regime during 2007-2017, when several controversial moves were made.
Sparing a thought for the lukewarm response to the electoral rolls for the upcoming SGPC elections, they appeal to the eligible Sikhs to get them registered and participate in the process.
