Punjab: Rebel Akalis met Akal Takht Jathedar

Punjab: After disbanding the ‘SAD Sudhar Lehar’, a group of rebel Akalis met Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh here today and vowed to unite to strengthen the SAD. Following the orders of the Akal Takht, the rebels had officially dissolved their outfit after the completion of ‘tankha’ (religious punishment) on December 9. The Takht had directed the rebel leaders to work towards strengthening the SAD from one platform. Former SAD Sudhar Lehar chief Gurpartap Singh Wadala said the purpose of meeting the Jathedar was to tell him that the Akal Takht’s instructions were being followed in true spirit. He said, “We all thanked the Jathedar for the decision pronounced from the Akal Takht on December 2, which was welcomed by the Sikhs.

We want other leaders to also follow it soon for the revival of the SAD and Panthic unity.” He said the committee formed by the Akal Takht would start its work soon. The Akal Takht had announced the formation of a seven-member committee headed by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami. Wadala is a member of the committee, which will oversee the induction of new members, delegates and holding of elections for a new president and other office bearers within six months. The other members include former SGPC presidents Kripal Singh Badungar, Iqbal Singh Jhundha, Manpreet Singh Ayali, Santa Singh Ummedpuri and Satwant Kaur. Former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra said that keeping aside differences, all pro-Panthic organisations should join hands for the revival of the SAD and it is the need of the hour. He said, “I personally thank the Jathedar for giving me an opportunity to clarify the baseless allegations levelled against me in the matter of the attack on the Golden Temple and the pardon granted to the Dera Sirsa chief.”