Panthic crisis deepens as Akal Takht panel calls for new SAD membership drive

Amritsar: The crisis over the leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has escalated, with a five-member committee formed by the Akal Takht urging the Sikh community in Punjab to gather at the Golden Temple on March 18 to take membership.

The move is seen as a direct challenge to the current SAD leadership, which began its own membership drive on January 20.

“We appeal to all Sikhs, Punjabis, and Panth hitaishis to reach the Golden Temple on March 18,” committee spokesperson Manpreet Singh Ayali said. The membership process will commence at 11 am after prayers.

The committee, which includes Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Santa Singh Umaidpuri, Satwant Kaur, and Iqbal Singh Jhundan, claims the initiative aims to restructure the SAD in line with Panthic principles.

However, the SAD has strongly opposed the move. Party spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema termed the committee’s membership drive “illegal,” stating that the SAD is a registered party with a constitution recognized by the Election Commission.

“No person or organization can run a parallel membership drive under our name. It is completely illegal,” Cheema said.

The SAD claims that over 3.2 million people have already subscribed to its membership drive, which it says is legally and democratically conducted.