Akal Takht makes Badal’s Apology Public, Parallel Priests Caution SGPC

The Akal Takht (Eternal Throne, Sikh Seat of Justice and Authority) has made public SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal’s apology letter (SDW Vol 2 Issue 31, Story 5). The letter was in response to allegations made by rebel SAD leaders who criticized Badal and his party for controversial decisions made during their governance from 2007-2017. The Sikh clergy led by Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh will meet 30 Aug to decide on ‘forgiveness’ sought by Badal for ‘mistakes committed by the party and its government.’ Meanwhile, SAD rebels have appealed to the Akal Takht that a Sikh convention should be called before making any decision on the existential crisis that emerged in the SAD. The rebels urged the global Sikh community to help the party overcome its crisis and regain its leadership, following the Sarbat Khalsa tradition (Plenary Meet of the Khalsa). Though the community believes in the institution of the Sarbat Khalsa, due to Badal control on other institutions like the political party SAD, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the Akal Takht does not considered the previous Sarbat Khalsa on 10 Nov 2015 legitimate. The parallel jathedars (leaders) nominated in that Sarbat Khalsa warned that the SGPC decision on the complaint filed by rebels may not be acceptable to the Sikh community due to the existing differences among Sikh high priests over their authority. Meanwhile Badal has reconstituted the SAD core committee and inducted SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami as a member.