Accept Sukhbir’s resignation without delay: Jathedar to SAD

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on Monday asked the Shiromani Akali Dal to refrain from further delaying the acceptance of Sukhbir Singh Badal’s resignation from the party chief’s post.

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The stern message to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has come as the party’s working committee is yet to accept Badal’s resignation after an order pronounced by the five high Sikh priests in this regard on December 2.

According to the Akal Takht edict, a meeting of the working committee was to be held within three days of the order to accept his resignation but the SAD claimed to have got a 20-day extension, which expired on December 22.

The Akal Takht — the highest temoral seat of the Sikhs — had also called for the reorganisation of the party through a six-month membership drive. A seven-member panel, chaired by SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami, was constituted for the purpose.

However, Dhami is yet to call a meeting of the panel.

Reacting to it, Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh said the directions “will have to be implemented in toto”.

“The Akali Dal should not be dilly dallying in accepting the resignations of Sukhbir and other leaders lying pending till date,” he told reporters.

The remarks by the Jathedar have come amid mounting pressure on the SAD to abide by the edict.

A group of rebel Akali leaders, who were associated with the now-dissolved Akali Dal Sudhar Lehar, had also on Saturday threatened to launch a political party after Hola Mohalla in March if the SAD did not implement the December 2 edict.

The group was formed as the rebel leaders pitched for reforms in the organisational structure of the party, which is currently preoccupied with preparations for the annual Maghi Mela conference in Muktsar on January 14.

In its order, the Akal Takht had held Badal, former Akali ministers and its core committee members guilty of religious misconduct during the party’s 10-year rule from 2007-17. Badal, who was awarded a 10-day religious punishment by the Akal Takht, had resigned from his post on November 16, days before the Sikh priests pronounced the order.

‘SGPC cannot investigate Giani Harpeet Singh issue’

The Akal Takht Jathedar also condemned the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for initiating an inquiry against Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpeet Singh, whose services were temporarily suspended over allegations concerning a domestic dispute.

“It was a violation of Akal Takht’s jurisdiction. Only the Akal Takht possesses the power of probing allegations against the Takht Jathedars, not the SGPC. The inquiry has to be handed over to the Akal Takht. I have already expressed my displeasure with the SGPC on this issue,” he said.