The August 30 meeting of the five jathedars (head priests) at Sri Akal Takht Sahib is expected to be a turning point in the ongoing SAD saga. The high-stakes gathering is set to dissect the storm of controversies surrounding the party president Sukhbir Singh Badal’s recent clarifications, which have only fueled the fires of discord within the party. Additionally, the session will tackle the contentious issue of Rs one crore worth of advertisements issued by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), which have become a lightning rod for criticism.
The last rendezvous of the jathedars on July 15 had put Sukhbir on the spot, demanding a detailed explanation within a tight 15-day window, in response to the allegations levelled by party ‘rebels’. Sukhbir’s response, submitted to Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, has now been laid bare for public scrutiny, adding new layers to the unfolding drama. In his explanation, Sukhbir has taken responsibility for the sacrilege incidents and the controversial pardon given to the head of a religious sect, while the SGPC has defended its stance on the advertisements, attributing them to directives from former Jathedar Avtar Singh Makkar.
The controversy is complicated by the internal strife within the Akali Dal, led by the rebel faction under Prem Singh Chandumajra. This group, which includes prominent members such as Sikandar Maluka, Gurpartap Singh Wadal, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, and Bibi Jagir Kaur, underscored the party’s internal discord. Their dissent highlighted the party's recent electoral struggles, marked by significant losses.
After maintaining a stronghold in Punjab's politics under Parkash Singh Badal’s leadership for a decade, the Akali Dal’s influence began to wane significantly. The 2017 state elections saw the party’s seat count plummet to 18, while the Congress secured a commanding victory with 77 seats. The 2022 elections further illustrated this decline, with the Akali Dal managing only three seats amidst the Aam Aadmi Party’s dominance.
The Akali Dal’s declining fortunes are mirrored in its Lok Sabha performance. From winning four seats in 2004, the party’s presence has dwindled to just one seat in the 2024 elections, reflecting a broader loss of public support.
The rebel faction’s grievances include several critical allegations against the Akali Dal’s governance. These include retracting a complaint against Dera Sacha Sauda leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim, granting him a pardon, failing to adequately investigate sacrilege incidents, and not delivering justice for Sikh victims of alleged fake police encounters. These issues have fueled internal conflicts and eroded the party’s public trust.
Senior Badal’s 2015 Letter Also Went Viral
Adding a historical dimension to the unfolding drama, a letter from the late Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal also emerged. Written in October 2015, Senior Badal’s letter expressed his profound distress following a series of sacrilege incidents in September. Addressed to the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht, the letter revealed Badal’s emotional struggle with the administration’s failure to apprehend those responsible for these offenses. The letter, written in Punjab, read, “As the head of Punjab's administration, I was fully aware of these unexpected events. I have strived to carry out my duties with dedication and hard work. However, despite my best efforts, sometimes unforeseen incidents occur….This has caused me deep distress and spiritual turmoil. Our sense of regret is profound, and during these challenging times, we find ourselves grappling with inner pain. We turn to our Guru, seeking strength and compassion to guide us through this period.”