SAD rebels seek meeting with Akal Takht Jathedar
Rebel Akali leaders have sought an appointment with Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, alleging that the Shiromani Akali Dal undermined the temporal seat’s authority by forming a “parallel panel” for the party restructuring.
The allegation came a day after the Jathedar said the party was “yet to implement in totality” the December 2 edict pronounced by the five Sikh high priests and it couldn’t overlook the Takht-constituted seven-member panel to reorganise the party.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has so far maintained that it is registered as a secular party with the Election Commission and cannot take directions from a religious body.
Gurpartap Singh Wadala, a member of the committee set up by the Takht, said, “It was a great disappointment that the existing leadership of SAD betrayed the Sikh Panth by undermining the supremacy of Akal Takht.”
He said a “parallel committee” was formed to carry out the party’s membership drive, whereas the Jathedar had already declared that the Akal Takht-constituted panel stands. “We are seeking an appointment with the Jathedar to know the panel’s current status,” the leader said.
Wadala claimed that the SAD leadership had been “misguiding with excuses” while citing frivolous constitutional and legal restrictions in restructuring the party.
Another rebel Akali leader, Prem Singh Chandumajra, took to social media, criticising SAD. “The party torpedoed the Akal Takht’s vision of resurrection of the Akali Dal by cocking a snook at its verdict,” said Chandumajra.
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) too expressed resentment against SAD over the alleged defiance of the Takht edict.
DSGMC’s Dharam Parchar Committee, Punjab, chairman Manjit Singh Bhoma said, “The SAD leadership has challenged the authority of the Akal Takht and formed a panel of like-minded people, which will never be accepted by the Sikh community”.