SAD Factional Clash Not 'Panth' Issue: Giani Gargajj

With the breakaway Akali Dal refuses to take on a different name, at present there are two Shiromani Akali Dals (SAD). The new breakaway faction intends to contest the earlier faction and snatch the party name, symbol, and office premises. On the new SAD headed by former Jathedar (leader) of Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Eternal Throne, AT) Giani Harpreet Singh, earlier SAD’s president Sukhbir Singh Badal said they have defied the Hukamnama (edict) of 2 Dec 2024, which specifically ordered against setting up of breakaway factions to weaken SAD. Sukhbir alleged that the 'central agencies were trying to weaken the SAD' by propping up 'parallel' SAD implying Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Current AT officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj said Giani Harpreet’s appointment as the chief of the SAD breakaway faction was 'ethically wrong' as it was made against the 'spirit of the decree' issued by the AT. Giani Gargajj also clarified that the contest is about individual factions and is not a fight of the Panth (Sikh Collective). In other news, Giani Gargajj has once again sought the reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor that facilitates devotees to pay obeisance at the historic Darbar Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan. AT has also summoned Guru Nanak Dev University’s Vice-Chancellor Dr Karamjit Singh over linking Guru Nanak's philosophy with Vedanta (conclusion from Veda Hindu texts) in the presence of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Meanwhile, as the Sikhs mark the 350^th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru (Sovereign) Teghbahadar, Vallah—the neighborhood which opened its doors when the Sovereign was denied entry to Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple)—is grappling with poor civic infrastructure. After being punished by AT over ‘song and dance’ at the Sovereign’s anniversary in Srinagar, Panjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has pledged USD 23K from his discretionary funds and one month’s salary for the cleaning and repair of the locality (earlier coverage).