Badal Appears before Akal Takht, Clamor for his Resignation Increases

On 25 Jul, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal appeared before the Akal Takht (Eternal Throne, Sikh Seat of Justice and Authority) and submitted a written explanation for his past mistakes and for failing to adequately represent the Sikh community. This is in response to the Akal Takht summoning him after rebel Akali leaders submitted a written apology on 15 Jul (SDW Vol 2 Issue 30, Story 2). A spokesperson of the Akal Takht said the letter ‘will be discussed at the meeting of the Sikh clergy, which will be held in the coming days.’ Badal has also dissolved the SAD core committee in order to reorganize the party. The voices against Badal’s leadership are rising even beyond SAD. On 22 Jul, Former MP Rajdev Singh Khalsa – who was the first to announce Amritpal Singh would contest Khadoor Sahib elections – proposed Jasbir Singh Rode, nephew of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and former Akal Takht jathedar, as the new president of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Speaking at a remembrance service for Bhindranwale’s brother Harjit Singh in Rode village, Moga district, Khalsa emphasized SAD could only be strengthened under Rode’s leadership. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Dhami and Faridkot MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa Maloya attended the event. The next day, in an interview, MP Maloya called for the creation of a new panthic outfit to contest SGPC elections. Meanwhile, AAP has appointed senior leaders to oversee four constituencies where Assembly by-polls are due as MLAs from them are now Members of Parliament.