Amritsar, March 4, 2025 – The Akal Takht-appointed panel has announced the launch of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) membership drive from March 18, following an ‘ardas’ at the Akal Takht Sahib. This comes after the Sukhbir Singh Badal faction refused to support the panel’s efforts, deepening the divide within Sikh politics.
The decision aligns with the December 2 ‘hukamnama’ (decree) issued by the Sikh clergy, which instructed a fresh membership process while condemning Sukhbir’s leadership. Despite the Badal faction already completing their own membership drive, the Akal Takht jathedar, Giani Raghbir Singh, clarified that the official process had not yet begun and ordered the panel to proceed.
Panel Pushes Forward Despite Internal Resignations
With the resignations of Harjinder Singh Dhami and Kirpal Singh Badungar, five panel members—Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Manpreet Singh Ayali, Santa Singh Umaidpuri, and Satwant Kaur—held a meeting at the Akal Takht to formally announce the initiative. They emphasized their commitment to strengthening Sikh political representation without factional bias.
Nationwide Membership Drive Planned
The drive will not be limited to Punjab but will extend to other states, including Delhi. The panel assured that:
The printing of membership copies will be completed by next week.
The process will remain neutral, not favoring any faction.
All Akali factions, Sant Samaj, taksals, and panthic dals are urged to support the initiative.
Rift Widens Between Akal Takht and Sukhbir Badal
This move intensifies the crisis within Sikh politics, as the Badal faction insists their recruitment process is complete. However, the December 2 decree had already punished Sukhbir and SAD leaders for their controversial actions from 2007–2017, ordering Sukhbir’s resignation and calling for new leadership elections within six months.
With the Badal faction yet to respond, the political landscape of the Shiromani Akali Dal remains uncertain, as the Akal Takht reasserts its authority in reshaping the party’s leadership.
