No celebrations at Takht on SAD’s foundation day

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 13

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has decided to commemorate its 98th foundation day, which falls on Friday, in various assembly constituencies across the state, abandoning the original plan of celebrating it at Akal Takht.

On the other hand, the expelled Taksali SAD leaders are all set to form their new party at the highest Sikh temporal seat on December 16.

Akali Dal spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema said it would have been difficult to accommodate a heavy rush of supporters at Akal Takht. “Moreover, it will be convenient for everyone to take part in the celebrations in their own constituencies. The ongoing Vidhan Sabha session is also one of the reasons behind cancelling the centralised programme,” he said.

It has been learnt that the SAD has asked its leaders to observe the party’s foundation day in historical gurdwaras in their respective constituencies. SAD general secretary and former minister Bikramjit Singh Majithia would lead the celebrations at Gurdwara Baba Budha Ji at Kathunangal in Majitha. Similarly, the local unit of the Akali Dal will hold “akhand path” at Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh Shaheed here.

Sources said a special programme to honour party veterans in some historical gurdwaras were also on schedule.