Badal Publicly Confesses Mistakes; Late CM Badal’s Faqr-e-Qaum Revoked

On 2 Dec, Sukhbir Singh Badal and the entire 2012-2017 Panjab cabinet arrived at the Akal Takht (eternal throne; AT) for their public hearing (SDW Vol 2, Issue 48, Story 4). Badal arrived in a wheelchair due to an earlier foot surgery. AT Jathedar (leader) Giani Raghbir Singh subjected Badal to questions insisting on only Yes or No answers. The questions ranged from SAD veering away from its ideal, disrespecting the Akali martyrs to cases of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib. When asked about the pardon awarded to Sacha Sauda Dera chief Ram Rahim in 2015, Badal fumbled but eventually said Yes, admitting his fault. Similarly, the Jathedar subjected every SAD leader to scrutiny. He asked them if they had recommended promotions for those accused of killing Sikh youth, and if these matters came to the cabinet for decisions. It was clear that most decisions by the SAD-BJP govt. were unilaterally taken by Badal. While the SAD leaders confessed to being complicit in the decisions with their silence, Prem Singh Chandumajra denied the allegations against him. However, the Jathedar confronted him with evidence from his statements in newspapers. The Jathedar even went to the extent of saying, ‘Don’t lie.’ Finally, the Jathedars awarded seva (service) to the wrongdoers which ranged from standing on guard duty, to cleaning vessels, and to listening to kirtan (devotional singing). Badal was punished at par with other leaders and the AT revoked the title Faqr-e-Qaum (Sikh Nation’s jewel) it had previously bestowed upon former CM late Parkash Singh Badal. The proceedings displayed that Sikhi places importance on public admittance of guilt and seeking forgiveness.

During the public hearing of SAD leaders, the Akal Takht (eternal throne; AT) Jathedar (leader) Giani Raghbir Singh said, ‘The current SAD leadership has lost the moral right to lead the community.’ He instructed the SAD working committee to accept the resignations tendered by Sukhbir Singh Badal and others. The Panj Singh Sahibans (five loved ones) announced the formation of a six-member committee to oversee the membership drive of the party, ensuring transparency and holding elections for the president and office bearers within six months. Rebel SAD leader Gurpartap Singh Wadala, who is part of the committee, confirmed that the SAD Sudhar Lehar (reform movement) will now be disbanded. The AT was also not  satisfied with the clarifications sent by former Jathedars–Gurbachan Singh (Akal Takht), Gurmukh Singh (Damdama Sahib) and Iqbal Singh (Patna Sahib)–who had pardoned the Sacha Sauda Dera chief Ram Rahim, who was eventually convicted of rape and murder. The AT declared former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president and SAD leader Harvinder Singh Sarna tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct) as well, for making derogatory remarks against the AT. The proceedings demonstrated that in a world where justice is so often a casualty to politics and nepotism, in Sikhi, religious institutions are on a higher pedestal than those who enjoy power through politics. Panjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said through these decisions, the AT has enhanced its dignity. Former Panjab Inspector General of Police, Kunwar Vijay Pratap, who resigned because his inquiry into the Bargari killings were stalled and later won as Member of Legislative Assembly from AAP, said he stands vindicated. He has challenged CM Bhagwant Singh Mann to arrest Badal on the basis of his public confession.

On 4 Dec, at 9:30 am, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal narrowly escaped an attempt on his life when he was shot at while he was performing the Akal Takht (eternal throne; AT) mandated guard duty outside Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar. The attempt was foiled by a man standing near Badal who lifted the shooter’s arm. Badal was unhurt. The shooter has been identified as Narain Singh Chaura, a former member of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Chaura was arrested at the scene with a pistol. Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar confirmed that a detailed security deployment was in place, with 175 plainclothes police on duty. Bhullar credited the timely intervention of the police, including Rashpal Singh, who identified Chaura and followed him as he attempted to fire at Badal. Special Director General Police (Law and Order, Panjab) Arpit Shukla said that Badal is under Z-plus security, with protection from both Panjab Police and central forces. Chaura is wanted in nearly 30 cases, including one under the Explosives Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Ropar districts. Chaura is allegedly responsible for masterminding the Burail Jail break in Chandigarh in 2004. AT Jathedar (leader) Giani Raghbir Singh said, ‘The attack was not on Badal but on a sevadar (one performing service) of Darbar Sahib,’ and demanded ‘the state government thoroughly investigate the matter to expose the miscreants and their motives.’ Leader of Opposition and senior INC leader Partap Singh Bajwa said the attack ‘is deeply unfortunate and unequivocally condemnable.’

On 3 Dec, the Kale Pani Da Morcha (Black Waters Front; KPDM) and 23 organizations including some farmer unions, had called to people for a peaceful protest to halt the discharge of effluents from the Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP) of dyeing units into the Buddha Nullah. In their email to Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal and Ludhiana Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal, KPDM had said, ‘This has become necessary as the govt. and Punjab Pollution Control Board are not taking any concrete action against polluters beyond issuing orders which remain on paper and are not enforced.’ When people from Panjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana started arriving, the police deployed in large numbers, detained over 150 activists, and stopped many from reaching Verka milk plant, the venue of the protest. Thousands of people assembled and blocked the Ferozepur road. In response, the Punjab Dyers’ Association (PDA) labelled the activists as ‘blackmailers’. The situation at Tajpur Road, which has CETPs outlets, was tense as hundreds of migrant workers and dyeing association members dared activists to close any outlet. The impasse went on until late night when Amitoj Singh Mann, one of the KPDM activists, along with police and officials, addressed media and assured the protestors that the administration has sought one week to close the dyeing units. He also called activist Lakha Sidhana (Lakhvir Singh) to ascertain that though he was in police custody, he was safe. It is ironic that the Panjab AAP govt. led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann—who used to count the horrors of the Buddha Nullah before he was elected—has turned an environment and health issue into a migrant and employment issue (SDW Vol 2, Issue 35, Story 1).

Jagjit Singh Dallewal, coordinator of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) (Non-Political), was discharged from Ludhiana’s Dayanand Medical College and Hospital on 29 Nov. On 26 Nov, Panjab police had forcibly whisked Dallewal away from the Khanauri inter-state border between Panjab and Haryana just before he planned to go on a hunger strike demanding legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops. A delegation of farmers led by Sarwan Singh Pandher, coordinator of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), escorted him to Khanauri from the hospital. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Patiala Range, Mandeep Singh Sidhu, confirmed that doctors declared Dallewal fit for discharge despite him being a cancer patient. After Dallewal’s release, farmer leader Sukhjit Singh Hardo Jhande ended his indefinite fast at Khanauri and Dallewal entered Day 5 of his strike. On 3 Dec, in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, police cracked down on farmers marching to the Indian Parliament to demand compensation for their land acquired by industry. As planned, farmers in Panjab will commence a foot march towards Delhi on 6 Dec, organized in small groups. This initiative follows previous unsuccessful attempts to march to Delhi on 13 Feb and 21 Feb 2024, which were blocked at the Panjab-Haryana border (SDW Vol 2, Issue 3, Story 7). Meanwhile, Panjab farmers at the Shambhu barrier raised concerns on 26 Nov after Haryana security forces removed a cement slab from the seven-layered blockade–stirring fears of a potential police action on the farmers.  

The Canadian govt. has invoked a ‘direct indictment’ against four Indian nationals—Karan Brar, Amandeep Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh—accused in the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This legal move bypasses the preliminary hearing stage, allowing the trial to proceed directly to the British Columbia (BC) Supreme Court without defense lawyers cross-examining prosecution witnesses beforehand. They will now appear on 11 Feb 2025 in the BC Supreme Court. A spokesperson for the British Columbia Prosecution Service stated that the direct indictment is a special measure used sparingly, typically in cases involving public interest or concerns for witness safety. Meanwhile, on 28 Nov, a Canadian court granted an injunction to the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir (temple) in Toronto, barring protesters from gathering within 100 meters of its premises as it hosted a consular camp on 30 Nov. Indo-Canadian community groups welcomed the injunction, noting previous protests by pro-Khalistan groups, including violent clashes between Hindutva mobs at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton on 3 Nov. The Indian High Commission in Canada organized another consular camp in Montreal on 23 Nov. Amid the diplomatic row between India and Canada, India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that Indian consulate officials in Canada were informed that the Canadian govt. had placed them under audio and video surveillance, with private communications intercepted. India protested to Canada's High Commission on 2 Nov, citing ‘flagrant violation of all diplomatic provisions.’ Meanwhile, two Sikh activists Parvkar Singh Dulai and Bhagat Singh Brar, who are on a no-fly list, argue that the listing has labelled them as ‘terrorists’ without evidence.

The Indian Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi has approved the launch of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) as a standalone scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. The scheme has a total outlay of USD 294.2M until the 15^th Finance Commission period (2025-26), with the union govt.’s share being USD 187.8M and the total share of respective states who implement it being USD 106.3M. NMNF aims to promote natural farming (NF), encourage chemical-free practices rooted in traditional knowledge, local livestock integration, and diversify cropping systems tailored to local agro-ecology. Over the next two years, NMNF will be implemented in 15K clusters in Gram Panchayats (village councils), reaching 10M farmers and initiating NF on 750K hectares. However, Panjab is witnessing Dalit (marginalized Scheduled Caste, SC) women farmers abandoning organic cultivation due to rising lease rates and stagnant yields, exacerbating agrarian distress. In Changali Wala village, Sangrur district, a group of 10 landless women from the Ramdasia Sikh SC community began organic farming on one-and-a-half acres of village common land five years ago, leasing it for USD 651. The Panjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Act, 1961, reserves one-third of cultivable land for the SC community, but high lease rates, and proxy bidding by dominant-caste landlords have hindered Dalits from benefiting. Organizations like the Zameen Prapti Sangharsh Committee advocate for fair leasing practices and land rights reforms.

The Indian Army has requested the AAP govt. in Panjab to provide 300 units of free power per month to its personnel stationed in the state by citing a similar facility extended by the AAP-led Delhi govt. This request places the cash-strapped Panjab govt. in a difficult position, as it already owes USD 1.1B in power subsidies to the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). The Army’s South Western Command, whose units are posted in south Panjab, made the appeal, noting that the govt. has been offering 300 units of free power to domestic consumers since July 2022 and should be extended to service personnel and defence civilians. As a heavily militarized border state, Panjab accepting such a request would require extending the facility to army formations, affecting over 100K troops and numerous civilian Defence Ministry employees. A senior officer mentioned that free power subsidies are given to individual domestic consumers, not to bulk supply entities like cantonments, which also include the Border Security Force which is spread 50 kms into Panjab from the Indo-Pakistan border–literally into half of Panjab, Indian Railways–and Central Public Works Department. The free electricity scheme has led to a surge in domestic connections, increasing consumption and projected subsidy costs, thereby risking PSPCL’s financial stability. Since the 2022 launch, domestic connections rose by 80K, with many exploiting ‘split connections’ for subsidies. 

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that any land in revenue records declared as Takia (land meant for the common use of Muslims), graveyard and Masjid (mosque), must be protected as Waqf (Islamic endowment of property), even if it has been unused by the Muslim community for an extended period. A division bench stated, ‘Any entry in the revenue records declaring the land as Takia, graveyard and Masjid, must be protected even if the site concerned, despite evidence of purported prolonged non-user thereof by the Muslim community.’ This decision was made while dismissing a plea by Gram Panchayat (village council) Budho Pundher, which challenged a Waqf Tribunal’s decision to declare the land Waqf property (SDW Vol 2, Issue 14, Story 10). Meanwhile, in Malerkotla, Panjab, Sikhs have donated several acres of land for the Muslim community to build a mosque. The land is worth ‘a lot’, but no one objected to it being donated to help their Musilm neighbors. In contrast, in many places in north India the ‘mosque built over temple’ issue is resurfacing. In Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, violence erupted on 24 Nov during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid to determine if a temple lay beneath it, leading to clashes between locals and police, resulting in four deaths, and many injuries, including to over 30 police personnel. On 28 Nov, the Supreme Court advised the mosque’s committee to appeal in Allahabad High Court. In Ajmer, Rajasthan, a petition claims the Ajmer Sharif Dargah (tomb) is built over a Shiva Mandir (temple).

Religious leaders from Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities in the UK had united to oppose the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which aims to allow terminally ill adults with six months left to live to request medical assistance to end their lives. The Bill, introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, states that two doctors must assess the request and confirm that the decision is voluntary, after which a high court judge would grant final permission for an ‘approved substance’ to be self-administered. Despite these safeguards, faith leaders have co-signed a letter expressing concern. They fear the legislation could pressure vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and disabled, into ending their lives prematurely, pointing to examples from Canada and the US where safeguards reportedly failed to protect marginalized groups. On 29 Nov, the House of Commons voted in favor of the Bill by 330 votes to 275, allowing it to progress to further scrutiny and amendments before becoming law. A similar Bill was defeated in 2015. Supporters of the Bill, including former UK PM David Cameron and British Indian Conservative MP Neil Shastri-Hurst, argue that the Bill provides choice and autonomy for those facing imminent death. Opponents, such as Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, caution that ‘the state should never offer death as a service.’ The legislation includes strict safeguards, including a maximum 14-year prison sentence for anyone who coerces someone into requesting assisted dying.