Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Badal to appear before Akal Takht

GS Paul

Amritsar, July 16

A day after being summoned by the five Sikh high priests, led by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal announced to appear before Akal Takht,

In a post on X in Punjabi, he said: “Being a devout Sikh, I will abide by the orders of Akal Takht and appear before it with immense reverence and humility”. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), too, faced the heat for spending Rs 91 lakh from the “golak” to justify the controversial exoneration of Dera Sirsa chief in 2015 against his alleged blasphemous act of wearing an attire similar to that of Guru Gobind Singh in 2007.

The move of the five high priests’ questioning the SAD and the SGPC was welcomed by both sides — the Sukhbir loyalists and the rebels.

SAD leader Virsa Singh Valtoha said Akal Takht was the supreme body and pride of Sikh Panth. “By summoning Sukhbir in person, it has been revealed that he is like any other humble Sikh before Akal Takht,” he said.

Former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur said: “We are happy that the five high priests have taken a fair step to question the SAD leadership and the SGPC. We are looking forward to what the Jathedar concludes.”

Will abide by orders

Being a devout Sikh, I will abide by the orders of Akal Takht & appear before it with immense reverence and humility. — Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD president