Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjeet) president and former acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Harpreet Singh, has reacted sharply to the recent appearance of Punjab government ministers and MLAs before the Akal Takht Secretariat, taking a swipe at the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) over its past stand on similar issues.
In a detailed post shared on Facebook, Giani Harpreet Singh questioned the legal arguments often advanced by Akali leaders and remarked that had the situation involved an Akali-led government, different constitutional objections would have been raised.
He wrote that it was fortunate for the Aam Aadmi Party that it did not have legal experts like Grewal, Cheema and Sarna, otherwise television debates would have been dominated by arguments that elected legislators could not appear before the Akal Takht as it could invite constitutional consequences, including action against the government or the party.
The former acting Jathedar further said similar arguments could also have been made questioning how the Akal Takht could direct an elected government to amend or repeal a law, while asking why similar directions had not been issued in the past regarding laws that were alleged to be against Sikh interests.
In a sarcastic remark directed at the Aam Aadmi Party, Giani Harpreet Singh suggested that if the party was inducting leaders from other political parties, it should also bring leaders such as Cheema, Meshi Grewal and Sarna into its fold, saying they would prove useful during such situations while also serving the Panth.
His remarks come amid the ongoing political and religious debate over the Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, and the recent proceedings at the Sri Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat involving Punjab ministers and legislators.
