Former Punjab deputy Chief Minister and president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Sukhbir Singh Badal, has quit his position, two months after being declared a “Tankhaiya” (guilty of violating the Sikh religious code). There is strong speculation that Badal had been nudged to resign, ahead of the delayed decision of the Akal Takht, which has to give its ruling on the allegations of mistakes he made between 2007 and 2017, and that caused harm to the image of the Panth and damage to the Sikh interests. The delay on part of the Akal Takht has also been a subject of a controversy since the supreme body has never taken so long in arriving at its verdict. The resignation by Sukhbir also coincides with the visit of one of the Jathedars to Delhi to participate in the celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev’s Prakash Utsav earlier in the week. The accusations against Badal include the failure to take action against those responsible for the 2015 cases of sacrilege and pardoning the Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. The incidents had happened when Prakash Singh Badal was the Chief Minister and like all other ministers in his government, Sukhbir could have also taken the easy way out by stating that since he was merely a part of the Cabinet, he could not be held responsible singularly. However, he decided to defend his father posthumously and accepted the blame. Knives were already out for him and his detractors in the Akali Dal, wanted his head. After waiting for the decision of the Akal Takht, Sukhbir, whose party has not participated in the ongoing Assembly by-elections, resigned from his position on Saturday by sending his letter to the Working Committee. He had earlier appointed senior leader Balwinder Singh Bhunder as the Working president of the SAD. The elections for the party positions are held every five years and the next ones are due by December 14th . There is every possibility that he could make a comeback and take over the reins of the Akali Dal once again. By that time, it is also expected that the Akal Takht would have reached some sort of decision since its reputation and standing could also be at stake if things are not immediately done. Sukhbir’s opponents are apprehending that his returning as the president would be against the spirit of the sentiments but it is well known that so far as the rank and file of the party is concerned, he continues to be its most popular leader and the only acceptable face.
A candidate backed by his group had recently emerged victorious in the one sided crucial Sikh Gurdwara Prabandak Committee elections defeating Bibi Jagir Kaur, who was once supported by his father but now has rebelled. Sukhbir has been under fire after the poor and dismal showing of his party both in the 2022 Assembly polls where it won just three seats and in the Parliamentary polls of 2024 where it was able to secure only one out of the 13 seats. A committee appointed by the party had gone through the reasons of the 2022 defeat in 100 Assembly constituencies and made recommendations. Several rebels had claimed that there should have been a change of leadership of the party. They included Gurpratap Singh Wadala, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Jagir Kaur and Prem Singh Chandumajra. They were subsequently expelled from the party and formed a splinter group, Akali Dal Sudhar Lehar. Troubles for the Akali Dal commenced after the farmers agitation and under popular demand, the party withdrew itself from the NDA government at the Centre. This led to straining of relations with the BJP and the two parties contested the elections separately, something which affected both the outfits adversely. It should be recalled that both in 2007 and 2012, the Akalis were in the government only because of the support from the BJP. The two parties had formed an alliance after Atal Behari Vajpayee, in the overall interests of the State, had urged them to come together and the Sikh party and the Hindu dominated party could help in keeping the situation under control. Things have rapidly deteriorated since then and the Akalis have resisted all attempts by the Centre to forge an alliance once again. The emotion is against such a tie-up and the Akalis know that if they had anything to do with the Saffron Brigade, whatever support is left for them shall also disappear. In this difficult phase, Sukhbir has been handling the party affairs and has done well in ensuring that the SAD did not deviate from its principles and adhered to its basic agenda even though there have been serious allegations against him and his family. In the past 30 years or so, the Badals have established a stranglehold over the party and it is unlikely that anyone else could take over the leadership role. The December 14th polls would be crucial and if for some reason, Sukhbir is unable to contest, the mantle could fall on his wife, Harsimrat Kaur Badal. The Panthic party may have slipped in the past two elections but can never be written off. It has tremendous support in rural Punjab. The Akal Takht, the supreme body on Sikh affairs has to take an appropriate decision without any further delay since its own credibility could be on the line. The SAD is at cross roads and the future would have to be in the interest of the large Sikh community, particularly when there is a challenge being posed by ultras from foreign shores.
