Amid Shiromani Akali Dal crisis, Paramjit Singh Sarna meets Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh

Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi) president Paramjit Singh Sarna today met Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh to discuss the existential crisis in Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) headed by Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Without divulging details about the discussion, he said he urged the Jathedar to summon all those former Akali leaders who had dented the Sikh Panth and switched over to the BJP for political gains.

“There were many who were given cabinet ranks during the Badal-led government and who owed allegiance to the controversial Dera Sirsa cult for vote bank, but enjoyed immunity from any action. I have appealed to the Jathedar to hold them accountable like 17 former Sikh ministers who were called up to submit clarifications at the Akal Takht,” he said.

On SAD’s crisis, he said, “Who else could lead the Akali Dal, if it was not Sukhbir? Dhindsa (being senior most) cannot be the president. I do not see anyone other than him (Sukhbir). He should be supported.”

On the sidelines, he also supported Rahul Gandhi’s remarks during his address to Indian Americans in Herndon, Virginia.

He said Rahul had highlighted the need to protect the rights of all religions in India. “He must have taken notice of the incidents when Sikh students were forced to remove Sikh religious symbols like ‘kara’ or ‘kirpan’ before appearing for examination,” he said.