SAD skips foundation day event

Undergoing an existential crisis, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) skipped its foundation day celebrations today.

Established on December 14, 1920, at the Akal Takht, SAD’s 104th anniversary saw no senior leader of the party visiting the Golden Temple or Akal Takht to commemorate the event.

This comes amid an embarrassing phase for the party leadership, which is still recovering from the controversial decisions taken during its decade-long alliance with the BJP (2007–2017). These decisions, which reportedly undermined the sanctity of the party, have led to a loss of faith within the Sikh community and successive political defeats. Although senior leaders recently undertook a 10-day religious atonement, the question remains whether the Sikh ‘sangat’ has forgiven them.

Traditionally, SAD leaders would gather on this day to participate in a ‘Path’ of Guru Granth Sahib at the Akal Takht and pay obeisance at the Golden Temple. The absence of any such activity this year is particularly glaring as, in the past years, party president Sukhbir Badal would proudly declare SAD as the “Fauj” of the Khalsa Panth, established to safeguard its interests.

The silence around the anniversary has intensified feelings of discontent among the Sikh community, who see this as a betrayal of the party’s original mission to protect Gurmat philosophy and institutions. This year marks a significant moment in the SAD history, as it struggles to regain its footing and the trust of its core constituency.

Political observers believe the upcoming SGPC elections and the 2027 state Assembly polls will be a litmus test for the party’s recovery. Outcome of these elections would prove whether the Sangat absolved the party of all its religious misconducts.

The SAD spokesperson downplayed the absence of any commemoration, citing the leaders’ ongoing service at historic gurdwaras over the past 10 days as sufficient acknowledgment of the foundation day.