Jakhar Appeal to Akalis to Unite; CM Mann Blames Badals

Paying tribute to veteran leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa at his final prayer meeting in Sangrur on 8 Jun, Panjab Bharatiya Janata Party's president Sunil Jakhar said, 'a strong regional party is a necessity, not just for the Panth (Sikh Collective), but for the entire nation. All Akali factions should set aside their egos and unite for the community’s interests, stepping forward for the and Panjab. That would be a true tribute to Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa.’ Echoing his views, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal also said that Dhindsa also wanted to see a 'united Akali Dal for the sake of Panjab and its people.' On the same day, Panjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann accused the Badal family of 'misusing' its political power to interfere in religious affairs of the Sikhs. He alleged that the family had influenced the appointment of the Akal Takht (Eternal Throne, AT) Jathedar (leader) over the years to suit its personal interests. He said, out of their greed for money, the Badals had converted the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to Shiromani Golak (cash box) Parbandhak Committee. Condemning Mann for his remarks, SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami called them 'baseless, deeply hurtful to Sikh sentiments, and a blatant insult to the Sikh Panth's highest religious institution. The remarks not only reflect Mann's intellectual bankruptcy, but also exposes his arrogance and shallow understanding.' Meanwhile, the influence of Delhi-based politicians on Panjab’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is visible in the star campaigners list for the West Ludhiana Assembly by-poll scheduled on 19 Jun. Out of the top 11 campaigners, nine are from Delhi and only two are from Panjab. Ahead of the by-poll, on 6 Jun, the Panjab Vigilance Bureau issued summons to Indian National Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu in a five-month old school land fraud case. Amidst criticism, a day later, the Panjab government suspended Jagatpreet Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police, Vigilance, Ludhiana, who had issued the summons (earlier coverage).