Can’t specify mistakes: Badal

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 10

The “akhand path” initiated on behalf of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) culminated at the Golden Temple complex today.

During the “ardas”, the priest read out prayers on behalf of Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir Badal and the entire Akali leadership that with the blessings of the almighty, they did sewa for the Panth and Punjab. During their stint if knowingly or unknowingly any mistakes were committed, their apology be accepted, it said.

Talking to the media, Badal could not spell out the purpose of this religious move. At one point he even got upset and in a harsh tone said, “The almighty is omniscient, I don’t have to submit a list of mistakes. As a humble Sikh and with folded hands, I sought forgiveness for ‘jaane anjaane hoian bhulan’ during our tenure.”

Badal said it was unanimously decided not to get indulge in politics or counter the adverse comments of the rival parties. “I appeal all not to give it a political colour. Ajj tan kisse vaaste vi maafi mangwa lo...Main tan sangat to vi maafi mangda han (ask us to seek pardon for anything. I offer apology to the public too).”

On dissident Taksali veterans, he again appealed them to join the parent party. “The Akali Dal is not my personal party. It is the party of every Punjabi. I have no differences with any leader,” he said.

Party spokesperson Daljeet Singh Cheema said the religious programme was not related to any particular mistake and it would be inappropriate to polticise the matter. On expelled leaders’ announcement to form a separate party, he said: “Many Akali Dals were formed earlier too. Let there be a healthy competition. Badal sahib had sent me to meet them. We still give them due regard,” he said.

Meanwhile, activists of the Sikh Sadbhawna Dal staged a silent protest in the Golden Temple complex today. The protesters, led by former kirtani (preacher) of Golden Temple Bhai Baldev Singh Wadala, stood on both sides of a passage leading to Akal Takht.

Wadala demanded that Parkash Singh Badal should be stripped of Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Qaum title for denigrating the Panth during his tenure as CM. It is learnt that Badal’s route was changed to avoid the protesters.