Parminder Singh Dhindsa criticises SAD for interfering in Akal Takht’s decisions, failing farmers

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) appears to have failed to learn from its past mistakes, including its controversial pardon of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the 2007 blasphemy case. Now, the party seems to be repeating those errors, notably by pressuring the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib to intervene and protect the SAD president, Sukhbir Singh Badal from a severe punishment, the nature of which is yet to be announced by the high priests.

It is important to note that Sukhbir Singh Badal was declared ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) on 30 August by the Akal Takht for the “mistakes” made by his party and the government it led between 2007 and 2017.

In a statement today, former Finance Minister and senior leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal Sudhar Lehar, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, claimed former SAD leader Virsa Singh Valtoha and former president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Harvinder Singh Sarna, had attacked the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib by issuing statements aimed at pressuring him. Dhindsa argued this behaviour had been encouraged due to the SAD’s support of these individuals.

Dhindsa alleged the SAD’s working president, Balwinder Singh Bhunder and the president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Harjinder Singh Dhami, were also attempting to shield Sukhbir Singh Badal from punishment. He urged both leaders to refrain from interfering in the matter. According to Dhindsa, it is crucial the high priests be allowed to work independently, without any external interference in their decision-making.

Dhindsa added that the entire Sikh community wants Akal Takht to make decisions autonomously, as no individual should stand in the way of its authority. Akal Takht, he emphasised, is fully capable of making independent decisions.

In addition, Dhindsa condemned the Central Government’s recent decision to prohibit Amritdhari Sikh employees from wearing the Kirpan at airports. He called for the immediate withdrawal of this order and announced plans to raise the issue with the Union Civil Aviation Minister.

Meanwhile, another leader of SAD, Sudhar Lehar, and former Sangrur MLA, Parkash Chand Garg, accused the government of conspiring to harm Punjab’s economy. He claimed farmers in the state were being harassed by government procurement agencies, which were refusing to buy their paddy crops at the grain markets. Garg said farmers were being unfairly penalised for excessive moisture in the paddy, with procurement agencies offering prices below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). He criticised the Punjab government for failing to address the issue. Garg also called on the central government to ease the moisture content restrictions on paddy, raising the acceptable level from 17 per cent to above 20 per cent.