AMRITSAR Observing that Akal Takht verdict of Dec 2 hasn’t been accepted in letter and spirit, the pro-freedom Sikh organisation Dal Khalsa said Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), under Sukhbir Singh Badal has once again betrayed the Sikh Panth and undermined supremacy of the top Sikh temporal seat Akal Takht. 

 Dal Khalsa leader expressed apprehensions that either Sukhbir will stage a comeback as the party president or he will control the party affairs through remote control without any accountability once the new incumbent is chosen on March 1. 

“At present, question is not about the fate of Akali Dal nor Akal Takht jathedar Gaini Raghbir Singh but about upholding of the sanctity of Akal Takht institution. Without forceful assertion by Jathedar to implement Dec 2 Takht directives, the situation would be back to square one”, said Dal Khalsa leaders.

The organisation leaders Kanwarpal Singh, Paramjit Singh Mand and Ranbir Singh said De-recognition threat by Badal coterie was merely a ploy to ensure dominance of Badal loyalists in restructuring the party and also to deny representation to the rebels in the new set-up. 

Sukhbir admitted his sins and underwent the religious punishment for all what went wrong during Akali regime led by his late father Senior Badal. His apology and repentance was never volunteered.  

Sukhbir was compelled to bow before Akal Takht and seek pardon for his sins. 

Badal Dal used all the pressure tactics to hoodwink Jathedars , but they had to finally give in as the Akal Takht Jathedar Gaini Raghbir Singh stood his ground. Therefore, the party has accepted Sukhbir’s resignation under compulsion.” Even the temporary suspension of Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Gaini Harpreet was part of a design to corner the latter as he remained hurdle for Badals to do their bidding. 

Kanwar Pal Singh also felt that merely changing the face of the SAD will not lead to its revival. “The entire lot – Sukhbir and his coterie– have been rejected by the people and only a complete overhaul can restore the credibility of the party among the people,” he added.

He said the fate of seven-member committee for starting the membership drive hangs in air despite Jathedar’s claim of being intact. Jathedar’s mild reminder to Akali leadership to execute Takhat’s directions in toto, has not gone down well the community. 

Badals continue to dabble in gurdwara affairs despite having dropped their ‘Panthic agenda long back’,” they said. They blamed Badals for challenging Sikh principle of Miri and Piri. Sikh politics has always been driven by religious guidance, they said.

If Badals wants to do politics by abandoning religious principles and ethos, they must leave Panthic domain and turf, said added.