Akal Takht summons Sukhbir Badal days after SAD rebels’ apology over sacrilege

GS Paul

Amritsar, July 15

Faced with senior “rebel” Akali leaders’ allegations of compromising on Panth sentiments for “political gains”, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal was today summoned by the five Sikh high priests, led by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, to clarify his stance.

Akal Takht directed the SAD chief — the Jathedar refrained from mentioning Badal’s name — to appear in person and submit his reply in writing within 15 days. The decision came during a meeting by the Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht Secretariat.

The role of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has also come under the lens for “wasting” “gola”’ money amounting to Rs 91 lakh on advertisements to justify the controversial pardon granted by Takht to Sirsa dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. On July 1, a group of Akali dissidents comprising Prem Singh Chandumajra, Surjit Singh Rakhra, Jagir Kaur, Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Karnail Singh Panjauli, Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Manjit Singh and others had submitted a joint apology to the Takht Jathedar.

In the letter, they had consented to facing “religious punishment” as deemed fit by Takht for remaining “moot spectators” during the Akali regime (2007 to 2017) when the top leadership committed several “mistakes” leading to people’s disillusionment from the party. Badal, the former Deputy CM, then held the Home Department portfolio.

Among the prominent “mistakes” committed were the controversial exoneration of the dera chief, failure to punish the perpetrators of a series of sacrilege acts in 2015 at Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura resulting in the death of two protesters in police firing, and appointment of controversial police officials to top posts.

In a series of meetings, the rebel leaders underscored the introspective observations made by the Iqbal Singh Jhundan committee on SAD’s diminishing political graph, recommending a change in party’s top leadership.

SAD chief spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler said they would abide by Takht’s orders. “Akal Takht is supreme for every Sikh. The order of Sikh’s highest temporal seat would be complied with by the SAD president and its entire leadership,” he said.

On September 24, 2015, the then five high priests had issued a “gurmata” to pardon the dera chief for his alleged blasphemous act of wearing an attire similar to that of Guru Gobind Singh in 2007. Five days later, the SGPC held a house meeting, headed by then chief Avtar Singh Makkar, to ratify the decision. While the meeting was attended by 55 of the 180-odd SGPC members, the consent of some members was reportedly taken on the phone to “justify” the quorum of 75 members.

Asks Akali Dal chief to appear within 15 days

• On July 1, Akali ‘rebels’ asked Akal Takht for penance for ‘mistakes’ during SAD regime
• ‘Mistakes’ included pardon to dera chief and failure to punish perpetrators of sacrilege acts
• Akal Takht has directed SAD chief to appear in person and submit reply in writing within 15 days