Shiromani Akali Dal rebel leaders on Monday appeared before the Akal Takht, the temporary supreme headquarters of the Sikhs, at the Golden Temple in Amritsar and apologized for “four mistakes” committed by the SAD-led government of which they were part during their two years. 2007-17 terms.
Handing over the letter of apology to Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, the SAD leaders said they are ready to face any punishment, as per Sikh principles, for the wrongs committed. The leaders included former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Jagir Kaur, former ministers Surjit Singh Rakhra and Parminder Singh Dhindsa, besides Charanjit Singh Brar, Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Sucha Singh Chhotepur, Bhai Manjit Singh and Gurpartap Singh Wadal.
The leaders met Giani Raghbir Singh at the Takht secretariat and blamed SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal for the mistakes following which they did ‘ardas’ (reciting prayers), standing in front of the Akal Takht and asking for forgiveness.
The four mistakes they listed are: revoking the case registered against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim for the blasphemous act of imitating Guru Gobind Singh in 2007; not punishing the perpetrators of the Bargari sacrilege and the police officials for the Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan firing incidents; allowing the appointment of controversial IPS officer Sumedh Singh Saini as Punjab DGP besides giving the wife of controversial police officer Izhar Alam the party ticket in the assembly elections; and lastly, not providing justice to the victims in cases of fake encounters.
While mentioning the lapses, the SAD rebels blamed party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was then deputy chief minister. They did not mention the role of the then chief minister, the late Parkash Singh Badal.
“We raised these issues within the party (SAD) many times and also advised the party leadership to appear at the Akal Takht to tender a befitting apology as per Sikh Maryada, but the leadership did not agree. Therefore, we are appearing here to apologise as we were also part of the government which committed the mistakes which left the Sikh panth (community) and the people of Punjab disappointed. These were the reasons why a large section of the Sikh panth and the people of Punjab are angry with the party.
They alleged that both the SGPC and they were being ignored on several issues, including the release of Sikh bandits or Sikh prisoners who had completed their sentences. “Election after election since 2017, the situation of the SAD has only worsened,” the letter said in Punjabi.
Last week, rebel leaders gathered in Jalandhar to launch the Akali Dal Bachao Lehar and sought the removal of Sukhbir Badal as party chief.
Before apologising to the Akal Takht, the SAD rebel leaders visited Jallupur Khera, the native village of Khadoor Sahib MP-elect Amritpal Singh, who is detained in Dibrugarh jail under the National Security Act, and met his parents.
